2016 French Open SF: Djokovic vs. Thiem

[mrzz]

Ok, now seriously:

I will go out on a limb and say that I am almost sure that Thiem wins at least a set. Djokovic is not holding serve that easily, he got broken a lot by Bautista-Agut, by Berdych, I guess even Darcis broke him three times. Sure he will break Thiem a lot to, but Thiem serves way better than Darcis and Bautista-Agut, and at par with Berdych. Either Djokovic steps up on the serving side, or he almost surely surrenders a set. He is still by far the favorite, but I really don´t think it will be on straights.

 

[kskate2]

The kid has earned at least a set (depends on how stingy Novak is feeling), but that's about it .

 

[Mile]

Ok, now seriously:

I will go out on a limb and say that I am almost sure that Thiem wins at least a set. Djokovic is not holding serve that easily, he got broken a lot by Bautista-Agut, by Berdych, I guess even Darcis broke him three times. Sure he will break Thiem a lot to, but Thiem serves way better than Darcis and Bautista-Agut, and at par with Berdych. Either Djokovic steps up on the serving side, or he almost surely surrenders a set. He is still by far the favorite, but I really don´t think it will be on straights.

True, but Djoker tried to spare some energy, wasnt all out. Now he might put best of it in last 2 games.

 

[isabelle]

veggie Nole in 3

 

[nehmeth]

Thiem not playing badly, but Novak (wisely) has come out focused and almost clinical during the first few games of the match.

 

[nehmeth]

6-2 Novak. Nice to see him on his game.

 

[El Dude]

I only watched the first two games, but my overwhelming impression was that Thiem has the weapons to beat Novak, but not (yet) the mental game. He reminds me a bit of a "baby Stanimal," but isn't (yet) consistent enough to push through the Serbian Wall.

Kind of disappointing, but nothing I didn't expect. Next year might be a different story.

 

[nehmeth]

Thiem forced to eat a baguette in the second.

 

[El Dude]

It's a slaughter. Let's see if Thiem can rally and at least challenge for a set.

 

[El Dude]

Watching Novak reminds me of this silly Flash tennis game you can find online. Once you play it a few times, you pretty much can't lose, but because it is still fun to play, you start playing sloppily or trying new things just to keep it interesting.

I'm not saying Novak is doing that--clearly he isn't--but the field is so weak compared to him, it seems we rarely see his full level of play. The interesting thing is that there are several players who can beat him if they both play at their highest level, but part of Novak's greatness is that--in combination with his incredibly strong mentality and very high B-level game--he is able to neutralize a player's highest level simply through being so tenacious. There's very little room for error when playing against Novak.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

It is a good learning experience for Thiem and his team. For now his ranking should protect him from meeting the players that can beat him relatively with ease in the much later rounds.

 

[nehmeth]

Third set 3-3 15-30 on Thiem's serve... incredible winner from Djoker.

(methinks Puppetmaster is apoplectic) :snicker

 

[Puppet Master]

El Dude, is the game you are talking about called Tennis 3D? Funny how you described it, but it's true.

UE galore by Thiem. The occasion got to him, he is playing like an idiot. Overhyped idiot. Watching the one interesting match, Murray is killing Stan, these damp conditions don't suit him too well. Now watch Andy spread his cheeks in the final. Well, I'm off, cya in the next life, enjoy the death of tennis. :wave

 

[Fiero425]

Third set 3-3 15-30 on Thiem's serve... incredible winner from Djoker.

(methinks Puppetmaster is apoplectic) :snicker

Not to start thinking too far ahead, but this hasn't gone any better for Nole to finally take this thing! Stan is a little off and doesn't look like he's going to be able to come back against Murray and Nole is smoking the kid so far and isn't getting into some long battle! :angel: :dodgy: :cover

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

Thiem is not overhyped. He has pretty much been playing to rank. No one said Thiem was going to win this. I think we expected a bit more of a match, but it is a math to get in the final and against the number 1 player in the world.

 

[herios]

A really good match by Nole, I hope he will replicate it comes Sunday
:clap

 

[Mile]

Djoker got Thiem running and running. Clinical execution.

 

[nehmeth]

Third set 3-3 15-30 on Thiem's serve... incredible winner from Djoker.

(methinks Puppetmaster is apoplectic) :snicker

Not to start thinking too far ahead, but this hasn't gone any better for Nole to finally take this thing! Stan is a little off and doesn't look like he's going to be able to come back against Murray and Nole is smoking the kid so far and isn't getting into some long battle! :angel: :dodgy: :cover

Yes, we could be looking at another Djo-ray final. :cover Almost as boring as watching a Raonic v. (add name) final.

The nice thing though is that Novak didn't have to go through the gauntlet of Nadal and Nishikori to get here.

 

[nehmeth]

Good news... the Zebras are gone!

 

[Backhand_DTL]

I hear that Novak has now created a record by reaching SF at RG for the sixth consecutive time and not even Rafa or Borg managed to do that. Is this a record (not worrying about the significance of it)?

Apparently it's really at least the open era record for consecutive SF appearances at the French Open.

Also by getting to the finals I think Novak is the first player who has reached three or more consecutive finals at each Slam (AO 2011-2013, FO 2014-2016, Wimbledon 2013-2015, US Open 2010-2013). Ironically Novak himself prevented Roger from achieving that by beating him in the semi finals of the Australian Open in 2008 and 2011.