2015 Wimbledon Semifinal: Djokovic v. Gasquet

[Mile]

I am wondering about strategy game here, Djoker know it well from RG, where he was screwed bi it. Playing into other day, 3 days in row.

So if Djoker starts at 14h, and he would fell strong enough to be in complete control, he colud go on 5 seter game, prolonging it as much as possible. So 3h + would bring other Semi to start at some 18h. With some big battle there, they could easily be playing well beyong 21h, where game is stoped.

And that opponent will be screwed like Djoker was in RG.

 

[Kieran]

Jeepers, buddy! Novak was "screwed" in Paris? Because he had to play for about 3 minutes on Saturday, after failing to close out a two set lead on Friday? This is the new excuse: having to play tennis tires them out. Like Wimbo 2013: Novak was "tired" in the final. At the US Open in 2011, Rafa played 4 matches in 5 days coming into the final, but that's okay, because we know why he lost.

Po' diddums was tired.

Gasquet has impressed with the way he's handled the last couple of matches, actually been quite stern in the clutch. I thought he'd fold once Stan straightened up yesterday, but he held firm, and deserved the victory. If he can maintain that tomorrow, who knows? Novak has looked heavy-hearted in this tourney. He was famously given "the toughest opening round in history", and Kohl handed the sets to him at 4-5, each time. Anderson put on a great display, but then gave it up. Meanwhile, Nole is working hard, but he doesn't look himself to me yet. I don't know if it's because of Paris (he's still tired :snicker ) or what it is, but I haven't sensed that he's as sharp or as hungry as he needs to be, to win on Sunday.

He'll win tomorrow, though, I think that's most likely...

 

[Mile]

Its about warming procedure also, not just play. Your muscles wont be same after 3 days in row.

If you would be doing some sport, you would know.

 

[Kieran]

Its about warming procedure also, not just play. Your muscles wont be same after 3 days in row.

If you would be doing some sport, you would know.

Let's leave aside the fact that you haven't the blindest, foggiest clue if I play sports or not, and let's not even nitpick over your outrageous assertion that a top tennis player can't play three days in a row (the middle day being about 20 minutes), I'm still at a loss as to how Novak was "screwed" in Paris...

 

[BIG3]

In my limited memory, I cannot find any lower ranked opponent Novak faced in his 27 semis. He survived 4R against Anderson and has an easy semi tomorrow. It was expected as draw released, even in better way. It will be very interesting Sunday. Novak is fresher and Fed/Murray is in better form.

 

[Kieran]

Federer hasn't faced anyone yet, and Andy looked in better form in Oz, and maybe in Paris, but it didn't mean anything when the gold bullion was being claimed at the end. It's going to be interesting, anyway. But Gasquet might be playing well enough to make this a longer match than Novak needs. I think Gasquet might take a set, at least...

 

[mrzz]

I am with the few giving Gasquet a shot. It is just one match, I know, but I like what I saw from him against Wawrinka. Three things for me stood out:

1) Focus. The guy was just relentless.
2) Stamina. As Djokovic remarked, it has improved a lot. He was almost at full charge late in the fifth.
3) His BH. Always beautiful to watch, I know, but it looked sharper to me. He took A LOT of balls on the rise, and they were deep, fast balls. He won most of the bh to bh exchanges with Stan, which is not that easy...

Do I think he is the favourite? Course not. I wont even be surprised if he shows up flat and loses 2,2 and 2. But I could see him making it a match, and then, who knows? And that would be good for the tournament, and for the tennis in general.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

I went for the serbinator in 4. Richard gitguask could sneak a cheeky set somewhere..

gasquet is more positive these days seemingly, hope he keeps that new mentality up in future..being a small defensive hamster scurrying around the backstop is no fun. no fun at all. no fuuuuuuuuunn.

 

[Carol]

I see that I'm the only one to give my vote to Gasquet
I's ok, if he wins I hope that The Tennis Frontier Administration is going to give me a beautiful Award, deal? lot

 

[lacatch]

Carol---You, Moxie and other Nadalites are A.B.N. fans---meaning you will route for ANYONE but Nole. Not a criticism, just an observation, since Nole has stood in the way of your "hombre" winning more slams.

 

[Puppet Master]

I will try to quote Front, this gem came out before the Madrid final this year:
"I wish it was possible that they both lose."
And honestly lacatch, why didn't you react to all the toxic A.B.R. posts here? There has been so much of it that I think it has become an ongoing joke here, for some time now. Wait, I might have just answered it myself.

 

[lacatch]

Puppet Master---Based on your ranting and raving about Djokovic yelling at a ball person (which they all have done)--I think it's best to let your comments slide

 

[tented]

Carol---You, Moxie and other Nadalites are A.B.N. fans---meaning you will route for ANYONE but Nole. Not a criticism, just an observation, since Nole has stood in the way of your "hombre" winning more slams.

And Federer, and Andy Murray, and Stan Wawrinka, and JMDP (USO SF), and David Ferrer (AO & USO), and Berdych (AO), and Darcis, and Tsonga, and Gonzalez, etc. In other words, Rafa has lost to a lot of people at slams.

So, no, it's not about Novak standing in the way of Rafa winning more. You're gonna have to dig deeper than that.

 

[Puppet Master]

Puppet Master---Based on your ranting and raving about Djokovic yelling at a ball person (which they all have done)--I think it's best to let your comments slide

Just like his reputation. And the focus of my ranting and raving was really how badly he behaved and how nervous he looked, which wasn't good for his image. If you carefully read my first post there I didn't specifically mention the ballgirl at any point. But let it slide, as you said, jump on the bandwagon.

 

[Carol]

Carol---You, Moxie and other Nadalites are A.B.N. fans---meaning you will route for ANYONE but Nole. Not a criticism, just an observation, since Nole has stood in the way of your "hombre" winning more slams.

Answering your observation which means more a criticism than anything else
First at all, I have the right to route and to vote for any player and to like ones more than others same like you and others posters around here

Second, maybe I missed something but I'd like to know how many times Novak has beaten Rafa in the GS

Third, if you are thinking that Nadal and his fans have Novak in their head then you are completely wrong, remember 2013 after to comeback of an injury Rafa showed that he didn't have anyone in his head. The worst Nadal's enemie has been his injuries and right know his head. In 2013 he came back fitted and with more confidence but this time he couldn't make it, it's taking him more time to recovery his game but (be worry) he will

Fourth, talking about A.B.N fans.... how many Federer and Novak's fans usually route for Nadal? none, so don't blame to us.

And Fifth, I like Gasquet and I've never understood why he has so bad results having that good game. He is playing well now and sincerely I'd love if he would reach the finals, maybe it would help him to play better. Look Wawrinka, always was the "poor Swiss" but after to win the AO 14 he has getting much better results

 

[lacatch]

Carol---You, Moxie and other Nadalites are A.B.N. fans---meaning you will route for ANYONE but Nole. Not a criticism, just an observation, since Nole has stood in the way of your "hombre" winning more slams.

Answering your observation which means more a criticism than anything else
First at all, I have the right to route and to vote for any player and to like ones more than others same like you and others posters around here

Second, maybe I missed something but I'd like to know how many times Novak has beaten Rafa in the GS

Third, if you are thinking that Nadal and his fans have Novak in their head then you are completely wrong, remember 2013 after to comeback of an injury Rafa showed that he didn't have anyone in his head. The worst Nadal's enemie has been his injuries and right know his head. In 2013 he came back fitted and with more confidence but this time he couldn't make it, it's taking him more time to recovery his game but (be worry) he will

Fourth, talking about A.B.N fans.... how many Federer and Novak's fans usually route for Nadal? none, so don't blame to us.

And Fifth, I like Gasquet and I've never understood why he has so bad results having that good game. He is playing well now and sincerely I'd love if he would reach the finals, maybe it would help him to play better. Look Wawrinka, always was the "poor Swiss" but after to win the AO 14 he has getting much better results

1. Of course you have the right to root for whomever===everyone does!
2. How many times has Nole beaten Rafa in a slam? I don't know exactly--but I'm sure you can google it. At least 4 times off the top of my head (3 times in 2011 and French Open 2015 off the top of my head)
3. Of course Nole is in Rafa's head! (Although these days, many opponents occupy the same position, i.e., in Rafa's head!)
4. I'm not blaming anyone. But many Rafa's fans pick ANY player OTHER THAN Nole to root for, and it ain't a coincidence luv.
5. I like Gasquet's style as well, although he has vastly underperformed as you say. But to VOTE for him to beat Nole, well......enough said.!

 

[lacatch]

Carol---You, Moxie and other Nadalites are A.B.N. fans---meaning you will route for ANYONE but Nole. Not a criticism, just an observation, since Nole has stood in the way of your "hombre" winning more slams.

And Federer, and Andy Murray, and Stan Wawrinka, and JMDP (USO SF), and David Ferrer (AO & USO), and Berdych (AO), and Darcis, and Tsonga, and Gonzalez, etc. In other words, Rafa has lost to a lot of people at slams.

So, no, it's not about Novak standing in the way of Rafa winning more. You're gonna have to dig deeper than that.

I don't need to dig any deeper at all. Once Rafa loses, his fans keep switching to other players, but NEVER Nole. They root for anyone BUT Nole, for obvious reasons (he's the one player on tour who can most consistently beat RAFA these days and is a bad match-up for him). Yes the others have beaten Rafa in slams, but other than Roger and Andy (and recently Stan off and on), the others aren't serious slam contenders. Finally, this gets into an old issue with these polls: whether people are voting for whom they think WILL WIN, vs. whom they WANT to win. Personally, I think the latter approach is silly, because then it's just a popularity contest vs. who has the skill, match-up advantage, motivation, etc. But of course since this is an open discussion board, to each his/her own

 

[Moxie]

Carol---You, Moxie and other Nadalites are A.B.N. fans---meaning you will route for ANYONE but Nole. Not a criticism, just an observation, since Nole has stood in the way of your "hombre" winning more slams.

And Federer, and Andy Murray, and Stan Wawrinka, and JMDP (USO SF), and David Ferrer (AO & USO), and Berdych (AO), and Darcis, and Tsonga, and Gonzalez, etc. In other words, Rafa has lost to a lot of people at slams.

So, no, it's not about Novak standing in the way of Rafa winning more. You're gonna have to dig deeper than that.

Exactly. And it's not like factionalism doesn't cut both ways. There has been a lot of A.B.R. ("Anyone But Rafa") around here for quite some time. If anything, it is Rafa who has stood much more in the way of Djokovic winning Slams. Nadal's issues aren't just Djokovic-shaped.

I don't think it's heresy or prejudice to say that Richard showed some very good grass tennis, some nerve, and might take a set.

 

[tented]

Carol---You, Moxie and other Nadalites are A.B.N. fans---meaning you will route for ANYONE but Nole. Not a criticism, just an observation, since Nole has stood in the way of your "hombre" winning more slams.

And Federer, and Andy Murray, and Stan Wawrinka, and JMDP (USO SF), and David Ferrer (AO & USO), and Berdych (AO), and Darcis, and Tsonga, and Gonzalez, etc. In other words, Rafa has lost to a lot of people at slams.

So, no, it's not about Novak standing in the way of Rafa winning more. You're gonna have to dig deeper than that.

I don't need to dig any deeper at all. Once Rafa loses, his fans keep switching to other players, but NEVER Nole. They root for anyone BUT Nole, for obvious reasons (he's the one player on tour who can most consistently beat RAFA these days and is a bad match-up for him). Yes the others have beaten Rafa in slams, but other than Roger and Andy (and recently Stan off and on), the others aren't serious slam contenders.

This would be true -- if we had the memory of a goldfish. How do you account for the Nadal (and, yes, Federer) fans who have never liked Novak? The people who wouldn't have rooted for him pre-2011? Again, you need to dig deeper.

Finally, this gets into an old issue with these polls: whether people are voting for whom they think WILL WIN, vs. whom they WANT to win. Personally, I think the latter approach is silly, because then it's just a popularity contest vs. who has the skill, match-up advantage, motivation, etc. But of course since this is an open discussion board, to each his/her own

I never vote for the person I want to win. Never. Hence my votes for Novak -- even when facing Nadal. I, too, think voting for the player you want to win is silly.

 

[BIG3]

For Rafa fans, it is better to have Novak go to the final. Otherwise, Fed will have over 50% to achieve 18 slams, which will distance himself from Rafa. On the other hand, it's hard to believe that Novak can catch Rafa's slam figure, even for his die-hard fans.