2018 Wimbledon men’s SF: Djokovic v Nadal

Who wins?


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Moxie

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Mox, if Nole plays anything like the first set it's over. We all know the matchup dynamic when Nole is at or near his best. I will admit that the level he had in the first set would've toppled Roger here even if Fed had got to the final in decent form. The reason I think Roger would've won that final, and the reason I think Nadal will win tomorrow, is that Nole mentally and even physically (fitness-wise) isn't all the way back.
I agree. That's what I've been saying in the lead-up to this match. Even with the match-up problems for Nadal, does Djokovic have it already in him to go to the next level? This is a huge test for him, compared to where he's been for the last 2 years. Winning that 3rd set TB was an enormous leg-up for him, of course. Had Nadal won it, I'd say it was over. It's also why I'm sorry that they started so late. My general thesis on the match was that Novak wouldn't have the stamina or intensity to meet Nadal at this point in his comeback. With a day's break, he might just be able to keep it up. It's not going to have been about the roof, imo, if Rafa loses, but the break in the match. Had they played the whole thing today, I do not believe that Djokovic would prevail. Now, I'm not sure.
 

Carol

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Carol is one Rafa fan. Don't paint us all with the same brush, please. I'm able to distinguish you and Monfed from Federberg and britbox, for example. ;)
I'm Rafa's fan but even if I'm not I would keep saying that this tournament is INDOOR or you think it's not? so please, if Novak has asked to keep close it's because he knows its a good advantage for him and I don't think it's fair at all. I hope it will be a backfire on him
 

Moxie

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The match is on both their rackets, and not much separated them in the end.

However I do think Rafa better keep his serve amped; I felt Djokovic wasn’t reading it as well in the 3rd set as the first set when he had all those BPs seemingly every Rafa service game.

As to the playing conditions the hypocrisy is so thick; of course fans prefer the best optimal conditions which favor their players strengths, that’s just common sense. There Was all The moaning and bitching about the slower playing grass ad nauseum.... Even bitching because Wimbledon weather had the audacity to have had nice sunny days with no rain delays, oh the inhumanity!, Clutching the pearls.

The players have to adjust; that’s Wimbledon.

I do think both Rafa and Djokovic have so far delivered the goods. Not that that it will stop the moaning and bitching...
POST OF THE DAY! (Jelenafan...if only reasonableness were rewarded around here. :pompoms:)
 

GameSetAndMath

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I agree. That's what I've been saying in the lead-up to this match. Even with the match-up problems for Nadal, does Djokovic have it already in him to go to the next level? This is a huge test for him, compared to where he's been for the last 2 years. Winning that 3rd set TB was an enormous leg-up for him, of course. Had Nadal won it, I'd say it was over. It's also why I'm sorry that they started so late. My general thesis on the match was that Novak wouldn't have the stamina or intensity to meet Nadal at this point in his comeback. With a day's break, he might just be able to keep it up. It's not going to have been about the roof, imo, if Rafa loses, but the break in the match. Had they played the whole thing today, I do not believe that Djokovic would prevail. Now, I'm not sure.

Fowler said that in the long history of matches between Novak and Rafa lots of things have happened. But, one thing never ever happened. No player had come back after being down 1-2 in sets. :good:
 
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Moxie

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I'm Rafa's fan but even if I'm not I would keep saying that this tournament is INDOOR or you think it's not? so please, if Novak has asked to keep close it's because he knows its a good advantage for him and I don't think it's fair at all. I hope it will be a backfire on him
I'm a Nadal fan, too. If the rule is that both have to agree, why would Novak chose against his own interest? You can think it's not fair, but it's the rule. Or, maybe we're all wrong, and the tournament choses to keep them playing in the same conditions. There is certainly an argument for that. Be like Rafa, who is pretty Zen: accept things as they are. Now, yes, I hope Rafa comes in tomorrow and punishes the crap out of Novak. ¡Vamos!
 
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Jelenafan

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Fowler said that in the long history of matches between Novak and Rafa lots of things have happened. But, one thing never ever happened. No player had come back after being down 1-2 in sets. :good:

That’s actually a surprising stat considering how many matches they’ve played.
 
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Moxie

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Fowler said that in the long history of matches between Novak and Rafa lots of things have happened. But, one thing never ever happened. No player had come back after being down 1-2 in sets. :good:
Novak is still a question mark...Rafa has a solid chance to win this. But I know you like your stats. :finger:
 

GameSetAndMath

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I'm a Nadal fan, too. If the rule is that both have to agree, why would Novak chose against his own interest? You can think it's not fair, but it's the rule. Or, maybe we're all wrong, and the tournament choses to keep them playing in the same conditions. There is certainly an argument for that. Be like Rafa, who is pretty Zen: accept things as they are. Now, yes, I hope Rafa comes in tomorrow and punishes the crap out of Novak. ¡Vamos!

Like the way he accepted the current one year ranking system, like the way he accepted the current surface for WTF and so on.
 

Moxie

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Like the way he accepted the current one year ranking system, like the way he accepted the current surface for WTF and so on.
#tiredsad #stuffuknowlittleabout #whatfansthink

Do you actually think that Rafa isn't one of the better at accepting what is directly in front of him and moving on?
 

Front242

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Rafa is running, volleying and serving well, what else you want from him?

coyote-3-2.jpg
 

Moxie

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Front always is lost B-)
Maybe, but I do think he's mixing his metaphors here. Djokovic is the Wiley Coyote under the anvil, in his world.
 

Chris Koziarz

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You're very kind. Me being generous would have had him insulting, whinging & whining about 99.99% of the time.
My observations tend to agree with Moxie's original assessment that about "80% of monfed's posts be name-calling, whining and complaining". The other 20% are mainly:
- observations and analysis of his idol's game, picking up only those aspects that give Fed an advantage over the field and denigrating the opponent game aspects as "dull", thus reinforcing his image of Fed being the only GOAT. In psychology, we call it "cherry picking".
- developing fantasy images "what if" his idol had not suffered a "bad luck" and thus had won far more than he actually did. Predictably, contrasting said "bad luck" with unbelievably good luck his opponents enjoy. Those images are surprisingly complex. In appreciation of the richness of those visions, I call them an alternative ATP world. Experts call it more brutally: "escaping from inconvenient reality".
- constantly seeking approvals among other posters here, to validate in his mind the veracity of his alternation world. In psychology, we call it "rationalisation".

I agree said 80% of monfed's posts are so abominable and disgusting especially as seen by women, that it feels like 99.99%. But if we look objectively at avatar monfed's overall activity here, including the remaining 20% I sistred above, we get a bit of insight into a person standing behind it.

Monfed said once in passing that he had "personality issues". Yeah, very truthful self admition. Monfed, buddy, I like your honesty. You need to be proud of it but you also need to know when to use it and when to forget it, otherwise BS starts happening around you. For example, shouting at women because they are talking "nonsense" that you do not understand is not gonna help ya but only worsen your "personality issues". Take care and Fed be with you according to your name!
 
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Moxie

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Nadal has to penetrate the court better, and stop neutralizing the point. He has to be more aggressive, or he'll lose.
 
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nehmeth

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Novak is still a question mark...Rafa has a solid chance to win this. But I know you like your stats. :finger:

Djokovic could come out flat tomorrow... too many mental rollercoasters - the marathon match that bumped his, letting the 2nd set get away from him, coming out tomorrow on an open court where the bounce will favor Nadal. Will be interesting to see if he has the resolve to regroup and bring his best.
 

Jelenafan

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Like the way he accepted the current one year ranking system, like the way he accepted the current surface for WTF and so on.

He gave his OPINION on the issue and then moved on, as has Federer on other things. It's not as if Federer doesn't bitch about what's important to him. The thing about Nadal is that once it's done, it's done.
 
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DarthFed

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He gave his OPINION on the issue and then moved on, as has Federer on other things. It's not as if Federer doesn't bitch about what's important to him. The thing about Nadal is that once it's done, it's done.

He's complained about both those things and the amount of hard court tournaments on numerous occasions.
 

DarthFed

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Djokovic could come out flat tomorrow... too many mental rollercoasters - the marathon match that bumped his, letting the 2nd set get away from him, coming out tomorrow on an open court where the bounce will favor Nadal. Will be interesting to see if he has the resolve to regroup and bring his best.

Hey Nehmeth, good to see you around! Pretty sure they are playing with the roof closed again tomorrow.