2015 French Open Final: Djokovic v. Wawrinka

[BIG3]

Novak played better than last year's final, close to 2013 SF. Though he didn't play his best, his defeat was attributed more to Stan/Rafa winners than his own choke. After 2011 career year, he rarely brought his best in slam final (2014 Wimbledon might be only exception).

Back to the game, Novak didn't come to the net as much as the prior matches. Once Stan settled from the the 2nd set, he had the upper hand in long rally. Novak was tentative coming to net even in great position. Underestimate Stan's defense or fear of Stan's passing shot? He was outpowered most of the rally and he should need to shorten it by approach shot. On the other hand, Stan's movement and ROS really impressive. From the 2nd set, he got into every Novak's service game.

 

[Federberg]

im really not getting why any of you thought stan couldnt keep this up for 3 sets..like seriously have you not seen him do that for the past few AO matches against nole..like what am i missing here.

I second this. How could anyone doubt it after his win over Roger, and his AO exploits. Far from being a one off. The sample is too big now

 

[brokenshoelace]

The Nadal fans will be all calling in sick tomorrow I guess. Massive parties worldwide tonight. Tough loss for Novak though but what could he do? Stan was just way too good today and would've beaten anyone currently on tour. Onwards to Wimbledon where Novak will be extra motivated. To put things in perspective that shows just how hard it is to get a career slam.

Also proves how difficult it is to win consecutive grand slams. Who was the last man to win 2 consecutive slams? Was it Novak in 2011?

He won 3 consecutive slams between 2011 and 2012 (Wimbledon and US Open 2011, AO 2012). But yes, two consecutive slams in a single calendar year.

 

[Carol]

The Nadal fans will be all calling in sick tomorrow I guess. Massive parties worldwide tonight. Tough loss for Novak though but what could he do? Stan was just way too good today and would've beaten anyone currently on tour. Onwards to Wimbledon where Novak will be extra motivated. To put things in perspective that shows just how hard it is to get a career slam.

"The thief thinks that everyone is like him" nope! :ras: :nono :lolz:

 

[Front242]

Nick Mullins on ITV mentioned a telling stat earlier. For the matches prior to the final Novak was standing on average 1.5 feet behind the baseline and such is Stan's power off both wings, Novak was standing 5 feet behind on average today. That's huge.

 

[Front242]

The Nadal fans will be all calling in sick tomorrow I guess. Massive parties worldwide tonight. Tough loss for Novak though but what could he do? Stan was just way too good today and would've beaten anyone currently on tour. Onwards to Wimbledon where Novak will be extra motivated. To put things in perspective that shows just how hard it is to get a career slam.

"The thief thinks that everyone is like him" nope! :ras: :nono :lolz:

I don't even know what that means.

 

[brokenshoelace]

im really not getting why any of you thought stan couldnt keep this up for 3 sets..like seriously have you not seen him do that for the past few AO matches against nole..like what am i missing here.

I second this. How could anyone doubt it after his win over Roger, and his AO exploits. Far from being a one off. The sample is too big now

Well, we doubted it because the sample on Stan NOT being able to keep it up is faaaaaaaaaar bigger, otherwise he wouldn't be sitting with "only 2 slams." So yeah, props to him because that was unbelievable.

 

[brokenshoelace]

The Nadal fans will be all calling in sick tomorrow I guess. Massive parties worldwide tonight. Tough loss for Novak though but what could he do? Stan was just way too good today and would've beaten anyone currently on tour. Onwards to Wimbledon where Novak will be extra motivated. To put things in perspective that shows just how hard it is to get a career slam.

"The thief thinks that everyone is like him" nope! :ras: :nono :lolz:

I don't even know what that means.

She means you celebrated when Rafa lost and you think Rafa fans will do the same now that Novak lost. In your defense, you're right.

 

[rafanoy1992]

It looks like we have to wait for another year for some male player to win the Australian Open and French Open in the same year. It is probably one of the toughest feat in tennis right now.

 

[crystalfire]

im really not getting why any of you thought stan couldnt keep this up for 3 sets..like seriously have you not seen him do that for the past few AO matches against nole..like what am i missing here.

I second this. How could anyone doubt it after his win over Roger, and his AO exploits. Far from being a one off. The sample is too big now

yes i understand hes inconsistent on a match to match basis but past few times hes played nole in slams they have always gone the distance and stan was playing toe to toe with nole for most parts. so i never doubted he would do it again today. nice well deserved victory

 

[brokenshoelace]

Does anyone have the winners count?

I feel the difference was so big it would have prompted Cali to make a thread calling Novak talentless and DarthFed to relegate Novak to a "grinder" on his official player label list.

 

[Fiero425]

im really not getting why any of you thought stan couldnt keep this up for 3 sets..like seriously have you not seen him do that for the past few AO matches against nole..like what am i missing here.

I second this. How could anyone doubt it after his win over Roger, and his AO exploits. Far from being a one off. The sample is too big now

yes i understand hes inconsistent on a match to match basis but past few times hes played nole in slams they have always gone the distance and stan was playing toe to toe with nole for most parts. so i never doubted he would do it again today. nice well deserved victory

That's what aggravates me about Murray's game; gets into these hitting battles! If it's working it's ok, but if it isn't he doesn't get away from it! Nole was right to attack the net more, but they were hapless attempts and he lost a lot of them! Stan won, but Nole helped! :cover :angel: :dodgy:

 

[Kieran]

Does anyone have the winners count?

I feel the difference was so big it would have prompted Cali to make a thread calling Novak talentless and DarthFed to relegate Novak to a "grinder" on his official player label list.

I think Stan was in the forties and Novak was less than half that. The last one I saw was at about 4-4 in the fourth, Stan on 41 and Novak on 19, I think...

CORRECTION: 60-30 for Stan. I must have read the winners off one wing...

http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/scores/stats/day20/1701ms.html

 

[19USC66]

Question for all. Do we now have a Big Five? Something to ponder.

 

[Carol]

The Nadal fans will be all calling in sick tomorrow I guess. Massive parties worldwide tonight. Tough loss for Novak though but what could he do? Stan was just way too good today and would've beaten anyone currently on tour. Onwards to Wimbledon where Novak will be extra motivated. To put things in perspective that shows just how hard it is to get a career slam.

"The thief thinks that everyone is like him" nope! :ras: :nono :lolz:

I don't even know what that means.

Think, think, think! it's not so hard to understand it

 

[rafanoy1992]

With this win, Wawrinka is now back to the top 4 rankings. In addition, he is now third in the ATP Race and he is only 200 points behind Murray for the 2nd spot.

One Slam title is a big difference...

 

[Front242]

"The thief thinks that everyone is like him" nope! :ras: :nono :lolz:

I don't even know what that means.

Think, think, think! it's not so hard to understand it

I've never been on the same wavelength as Nadal fans I'm afraid. They think differently on every level

 

[the AntiPusher]

Ramsay Snow to Novak " If you think this has a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention. " snicker

 

[crystalfire]

Question for all. Do we now have a Big Five? Something to ponder.

not really. fed and rafa are questionable. noles still in the top. murray..mehhh depends on what he does at wimby and rest of season in general. so overall we have a big one. and some others fighting thats about it. it isnt even a big 4 anymore. stan has to be more consistent before we can say he belongs at top

 

[rafanoy1992]

Btw, who picked Wawrinka in four sets? Whomever he or she is, that was a good prediction!