2015 French Open QF: Djokovic v. Nadal

[the AntiPusher]

Rafa in 4 or 5. He will be ready on Wednesday. I didn't see the matches today but I am assuming both players were at the top of their games, correct?

 

[Puppet Master]

Am I afraid? Yes.
Am I confident? No.
But for some reason, I just think Nadal takes this one by pulling vintage form out of his ass on Wednesday. If not, he will get in all kinds of trouble and will definitely be punished.

 

[Federberg]

Rafa in 4 or 5. He will be ready on Wednesday. I didn't see the matches today but I am assuming both players were at the top of their games, correct?

Rafa played better that's for sure. Novak really didn't have to do much, and even looked distracted closing out the final set. He hasn't really had to get out of 3rd gear yet. I have a horrible feeling he's going to elevate his level several notches against Rafa. That's not to say I think he'll crush Rafa. I think that Rafa is going give this his all, he is an absolute champion. I just think at some point Novak will break him. I see 3 tough sets, and then Novak pulling away in a 4th set. Hence my Novak in 4 prediction. If I'm right, watching how Rafa copes with the loss of his crown over the next year, and that's not even talking about his rankings

 

[the AntiPusher]

I am curious why the Nadal vs Sock match isn't available on ESPN3 replay

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I am curious why the Nadal vs Sock match isn't available on ESPN3 replay

To be available on replay first it must be shown live. It was not shown live. ESPN had rights for the Chatrier only today.

 

[the AntiPusher]

I am curious why the Nadal vs Sock match isn't available on ESPN3 replay

To be available on replay first it must be shown live. It was not shown live. ESPN had rights for the Chatrier only today.

Thanks GSM, However,the Ferrer vs Cilic match was on court 1 , it's available for replay

 

[DarthFed]

Going with Rafa in 4. Stupid to bet against him until we see otherwise.

 

[Federberg]

Going with Rafa in 4. Stupid to bet against him until we see otherwise.

I know what you mean. If it was any other player on a dominant streak I would still heavily favour Rafa. But this is Novak. A dominant number 1. I'll even go as far as to say that only mental frailty stops Novak from winning this. It could almost taint his legacy not to fulfil his potential in the next match.

 

[Denis]

Just saw the highlights of the Nadal match. Nadal looked really good. Quick, good defence, forehand was clicking really well. The guy has the nasty habit of shining on clay when it matters most. Novak needs to fight for every single point, never give up. He can do it, but he needs to give everything.

 

[DarthFed]

Going with Rafa in 4. Stupid to bet against him until we see otherwise.

I know what you mean. If it was any other player on a dominant streak I would still heavily favour Rafa. But this is Novak. A dominant number 1. I'll even go as far as to say that only mental frailty stops Novak from winning this. It could almost taint his legacy not to fulfil his potential in the next match.

On that I agree...on paper it is a match Novak should win since the only thing Rafa has to hurt him offensively is the height of his spin. Aside from high bouncing topspin is there anything Rafa does better than Novak at this point on a tennis court?

But I also felt it was a match he should've won the past few years now. Rafa will take advantage of any fear or nervousness from Nole.

 

[golds girl]

I'm a Rafa fan and I'm ashamed of what I'm about to write.
Nole in 4uzzled

 

[crystalfire]

Just saw the highlights of the Nadal match. Nadal looked really good. Quick, good defence, forehand was clicking really well. The guy has the nasty habit of shining on clay when it matters most. Novak needs to fight for every single point, never give up. He can do it, but he needs to give everything.

so if sock was able to take a set against a really good rafa i think djoker can get 2 hopefully 3

 

[mrzz]

Head says Djokovic in 4. However, I would actually like to see him win in 3. Nothing against Nadal on this (it really makes no difference for him if he loses in 3 or 4), but it would be some kind of award to Djokovic level on clay (even if a very small one).

And I don't want either one to win 17-15 on the third, as in this case the asterisk factory would be filled with requests.

 

[Federberg]

Head says Djokovic in 4. However, I would actually like to see him win in 3. Nothing against Nadal on this (it really makes no difference for him if he loses in 3 or 4), but it would be some kind of award to Djokovic level on clay (even if a very small one).

And I don't want either one to win 17-15 on the third, as in this case the asterisk factory would be filled with requests.

I couldn't care less if they destroyed each other in a 17 - 15 fifth. Anyone that talks asterisks after could shove it where the sun don't shine if Roger were to get the W :snicker

 

[mrzz]

^I was pretty sure I would get some answers like that...

 

[Puppet Master]

Going with Rafa in 4. Stupid to bet against him until we see otherwise.

What?
I never thought I would see this kind of thing from you, especially not at RG. You have my upmost respect. A very sensible opinion. Some people here keep mentioning the conditions, as in Nadal can't even win a set if it is not hot and sunny. Please.
The 2012 final was a fluke, when Rafa lost focus, and completely let that set and a few more games after go. Djokovic is serving and returning much better than Wafa, but this has been going on for like years so I don't understand where all the hype is coming from. This is still very much on Nadal's racquet.

 

[Federberg]

Going with Rafa in 4. Stupid to bet against him until we see otherwise.

What?
I never thought I would see this kind of thing from you, especially not at RG. You have my upmost respect. A very sensible opinion. Some people here are mentioning the conditions, as in Nadal can't even win a set if it is not hot and sunny. Please.
The 2012 final was a fluke, when Rafa lost focus, and completely let that set and a few more games after go. Djokovic is serving and returning much better than Wafa, but this has been going on for like years so I don't understand where all the hype is coming from. This is still very much on Nadal's racquet.

I have to disagree about 2012. Novak getting a set off Rafa can never be a fluke. No way no how.Same the other way around.

As for the upcoming match, again I would disagree. It's not on Rafa's racquet. It's in Novak's mind. That's not to say I'm convinced Novak will win, don't get me wrong. It really depends entirely on what Novak comes out. I will say that if Novak plays at his current best, then I'm not sure Rafa's game right now is good enough to win. My uncertainty is whether Novak will bring his best

 

[Puppet Master]

Going with Rafa in 4. Stupid to bet against him until we see otherwise.

What?
I never thought I would see this kind of thing from you, especially not at RG. You have my upmost respect. A very sensible opinion. Some people here are mentioning the conditions, as in Nadal can't even win a set if it is not hot and sunny. Please.
The 2012 final was a fluke, when Rafa lost focus, and completely let that set and a few more games after go. Djokovic is serving and returning much better than Wafa, but this has been going on for like years so I don't understand where all the hype is coming from. This is still very much on Nadal's racquet.

I have to disagree about 2012. Novak getting a set off Rafa can never be a fluke. No way no how.Same the other way around.

As for the upcoming match, again I would disagree. It's not on Rafa's racquet. It's in Novak's mind. That's not to say I'm convinced Novak will win, don't get me wrong. It really depends entirely on what Novak comes out. I will say that if Novak plays at his current best, then I'm not sure Rafa's game right now is good enough to win. My uncertainty is whether Novak will bring his best

Djokovic taking a set off of Rafa is no fluke, but he was up 2 sets to love and was just outplaying him by a long shot.
If Novak was serious about this, he would have already done it, and I am talking about 2013. You will very likely see the best possible version of Novak in their clash, but will it be enough? I think that Djoko will at some point go for too much, overhit, and it will cost him the match. I voted for a 5 set grind-fest, but I think Nadal will get it done in 4.

 

[brokenshoelace]

I'll even go as far as to say that only mental frailty stops Novak from winning this.

Yeah, either that or the 9 time champion.

Anyway, Novak in 4.

 

[shawnbm]

I voted for Nole in four sets, but who can count out Nadal on the red clay of Paris? I surely do not, but based on form alone this past week Novak appears to be paying at a higher level and has played against better opponents in my view. Rafa has to have a superlative serving day and even then it will be tough. It will be a barn burner either way.