2015 French Open Semifinal: Djokovic v. Murray

[nehmeth]

This match has a Federer-Haas feel to it, right after Rafa's loss to Soderling. Nole has to keep it together upstairs. The relief of winning against Rafa at RG must be substantial and that is the problem. Can Nole control that emotion and stay focused and even more hungry?

You know, the guy just got a huge weight lifted off his shoulders. He is consistently playing some of the very best tennis I've seen. When he hasn't, he has found a way to regroup and win. So allowing for the idea that he may have a little loss of focus, I think Murray could take a set.

Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if Nole swings freer and hits better on Friday than he did today.

 

[Front242]

That match against Haas was a weird one. One point changed the whole match! Looking forward to seeing Tommy back for grass season.

Sorry to side-bar, and I know this thread has been all over the place, but Front, did you hear them say that Soderling says he's coming back? You should be pleased, even if you don't need him now. :snicker

Well he's been trying for ages and I still hope he might some day but, really, he's gotta be kicking himself these days, as if he was still playing and at the level has was at before, he'd surely be causing some upsets.

 

[Front242]

Yeah, finally sounds promising alright.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis/robin-soderling-aiming-for-a-comeback-to-tennis-five-years-after-last-appearance/story-fndkzym4-1227378052903

 

[Moxie]

This match has a Federer-Haas feel to it, right after Rafa's loss to Soderling. Nole has to keep it together upstairs. The relief of winning against Rafa at RG must be substantial and that is the problem. Can Nole control that emotion and stay focused and even more hungry?

You know, the guy just got a huge weight lifted off his shoulders. He is consistently playing some of the very best tennis I've seen. When he hasn't, he has found a way to regroup and win. So allowing for the idea that he may have a little loss of focus, I think Murray could take a set.

Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if Nole swings freer and hits better on Friday than he did today.

May be so. All of his tension today was in the first set. Once he won that, he was pretty loose. It'll be interesting to see how he starts against Murray, and how Murray starts against him. I think they'll have an edgy and long first set.

 

[Front242]

:cover

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

This match has a Federer-Haas feel to it, right after Rafa's loss to Soderling. Nole has to keep it together upstairs. The relief of winning against Rafa at RG must be substantial and that is the problem. Can Nole control that emotion and stay focused and even more hungry?

You know, the guy just got a huge weight lifted off his shoulders. He is consistently playing some of the very best tennis I've seen. When he hasn't, he has found a way to regroup and win. So allowing for the idea that he may have a little loss of focus, I think Murray could take a set.

Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if Nole swings freer and hits better on Friday than he did today.

You know what I mean...Now he is supposed to win. I remember Roger feeling the pressure of it but he came through. Now it's Nole's trun. I know he is capable but he still has to play.

 

[Riotbeard]

Novak in 4. Different day, different test. I think Murray is playing better and more confident, so he won't disappear in the 3rd like Rafa did.

 

[Front242]

Actually in many cases players who are down 2 sets to zip tend to put in a Herculean effort in the 3rd and it's often the one where even if they lose, they win the most games. Murray often has 3rd set and indeed first set letdowns. Given how they're both playing very well I hope this one will be more enjoyable than their usual zzzz fests.

 

[nehmeth]

Actually in many cases players who are down 2 sets to zip tend to put in a Herculean effort in the 3rd and it's often the one where even if they lose, they win the most games.

Very good point. Like Jack Sock against Nadal the other day... that was impressive. Or Ferrer's third set against Murray today. Or Rafa's third set against Djo.... :s :nono

 

[Front242]

Actually in many cases players who are down 2 sets to zip tend to put in a Herculean effort in the 3rd and it's often the one where even if they lose, they win the most games.

Very good point. Like Jack Sock against Nadal the other day... that was impressive. Or Ferrer's third set against Murray today. Or Rafa's third set against Djo.... :s :nono

Ssshhh, don't kick them when they're down

 

[Moxie]

Actually in many cases players who are down 2 sets to zip tend to put in a Herculean effort in the 3rd and it's often the one where even if they lose, they win the most games.

Very good point. Like Jack Sock against Nadal the other day... that was impressive. Or Ferrer's third set against Murray today. Or Rafa's third set against Djo.... :s :nono

Ssshhh, don't kick them when they're down

That's the kindest thing you've ever said to Nadal fans, Front. I'm touched. :hug

 

[Front242]

^ Probably 'cos as a fan of a guy soon to be 34 I know how they feel

 

[nehmeth]

^ Probably 'cos as a fan of a guy soon to be 34 I know how they feel

Yeah but your guy at 33 is still #2 in the world.

 

[Front242]

^ Probably 'cos as a fan of a guy soon to be 34 I know how they feel

Yeah but your guy at 33 is still #2 in the world.

There you go again kicking them some more. Still at least you wished Rafa a Happy Birthday :laydownlaughing:snicker

 

[Moxie]

^ Probably 'cos as a fan of a guy soon to be 34 I know how they feel

Yeah but your guy at 33 is still #2 in the world.

Oh, rub it in, just when Front is feeling generous. Anyway, thanks, Front, for the commiserations.

 

[nehmeth]

^ Probably 'cos as a fan of a guy soon to be 34 I know how they feel

Yeah but your guy at 33 is still #2 in the world.

There you go again kicking them some more. Still at least you wished Rafa a Happy Birthday :laydownlaughing:snicker

Yep and Novak gave him a really nice present, just like he did for Ferrer.

 

[Carol]

To each his own theme.... I hope Muzz plays a very competitive match and see him in the finals against Tsonga, I couldn't wait to see the crowd "perfomance" though probably will be many English spectators too :snicker

 

[Moxie]

Yeah but your guy at 33 is still #2 in the world.

There you go again kicking them some more. Still at least you wished Rafa a Happy Birthday :laydownlaughing:snicker

Yep and Novak gave him a really nice present, just like he did for Ferrer.

You're a gloating old granny, nehmeth. :laydownlaughing

 

[nehmeth]

I'm glad you've gotten over pretending that Novak was actually that close before, and has been Rafa's 'whipping boy' at RG. But as I said to Britbox on the other thread who tried to proclaim the same thing: The King of Clay is not dead. Rafa will long be the King of Clay. Remember how long Borg was. And Novak is not the King of Clay by any stretch by beating this version of Nadal. Get a grip, man! It was a QF.

This from someone who touted over and over and over the fact that Novak had never beaten Rafa on clay. It was only a quarterfinal? Beating "this" version of Nadal?

Headlines read:

from SI: "Djokovic clobbers 'King' Nadal, to face Murray"

Garber: "Djokovic's win over Nadal simply stunning"

Or this from Bodo: "He said what? Rafael Nadal doesn't see decline"

Here's a good quote from the article:

"Add those words to all the other puzzling, often unconvincing ones that this towering but clearly troubled champion has uttered over the course of the past six months. It might seem unkind to pile on at a time when this latest wound is still so fresh, but this is an unusual moment, for Nadal appears to be in a downward spiral, the nature of which he doesn't recognize."

Obviously neither do you or some of his other fans.

http://espn.go.com/tennis/french15/story/_/id/13006227/french-open-rafael-nadal-see-decline

 

[I.Haychew]

I like Djokovic and I don't like Murray. Therefore, I want Djokovic to win.