2019 Australian Open semifinals: Djokovic vs Pouille

[Front242]

Djokovic will destroy L.pouille, in straight set end of story/ hopefully nadal vs. Djokovic final rematch of 2012 where nadal was the better player.

People can spin the whole better player lost crap as much as they like but the fact of the matter is this: if you were better then why did you lose? Because you weren't better, that's why. If it comes down to a handful of match deciding points and you lose them well then you weren't the better player.

 

[Andy22]

People can spin the whole better player lost crap as much as they like but the fact of the matter is this: if you were better then why did you lose? Because you weren't better, that's why. If it comes down to a handful of match deciding points and you lose them well then you weren't the better player.

Disagree the better player loses a lot in matches like then K.nishikori was beating nadal at madrid until he got Injured.

 

[brokenshoelace]

You might be the better player and lose, although it's rare, but Nadal wasn't the better player in the 2012 AO final. In fact, he did amazing to somehow hang on when it looked done and dusted in the 4th set. He won that set by pure willpower and fighting spirit. Yes, he blew an opportunity in the fifth for sure, but Djokovic was definitely the better player that match.

Wimbledon 2018 though...that's a different story.

 

[isabelle]

Nole in 3

 

[imjimmy]

You might be the better player and lose, although it's rare, but Nadal wasn't the better player in the 2012 AO final. In fact, he did amazing to somehow hang on when it looked done and dusted in the 4th set. He won that set by pure willpower and fighting spirit. Yes, he blew an opportunity in the fifth for sure, but Djokovic was definitely the better player that match.

Wimbledon 2018 though...that's a different story.

Also Novak was gassed after the Murray SF. He was sleeping almost through the first set. He could have won the match in 4 , had he been fresher.

 

[Front242]

Disagree the better player loses a lot in matches like then K.nishikori was beating nadal at madrid until he got Injured.

Well yeah of course that can happen and you're 100% right there but I was referring to matches without injuries.

 

[El Dude]

If Lucas Pouille defeats Novak, it will be definitive proof that the tournament is rigged in favor of Nadal. Pouille is OK, but about as "soft" a top 20 player as I can think of.

 

[tented]

If Lucas Pouille defeats Novak, it will be definitive proof that the tournament is rigged in favor of Nadal. Pouille is OK, but about as "soft" a top 20 player as I can think of.

This is tinfoil-hat-level stuff. Joke, I hope?

 

[El Dude]

This is tinfoil-hat-level stuff. Joke, I hope?

Haha, yeah. Or rather, figurative hyperbole. I don't actually think the tournament is rigged - but using creative license to express a point about Pouille relative to Novak.

Good to see you back!

 

[GameSetAndMath]

If Lucas Pouille defeats Novak, it will be definitive proof that the tournament is rigged in favor of Nadal.

Well, not if Lucas defeats Ralph, like he did in 2016 USO.

 

[El Dude]

Well, not if Lucas defeats Ralph, like he did in 2016 USO.

That was a different Rafa - he was still struggling.

 

[mrzz]

If Pouille somehow defeats Djokovic all Federer fans will hate him to his guts. And then if he miraculously beats Nadal, then Federer fans will make an U turn on a dime and love him for the rest of their lives. Then in the trophy ceremony he says that he is happy because he beat the two GOAT's in sucession, and Federer fans will hate him all over again.

 

[Nadalfan2013]

Go Pouille!

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

pouille is 5-0 w/l at ao2019..before this year he was 0-5 w/l at ao. he has 5 top10 wins in career, all in 2016.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

If Pouille somehow defeats Djokovic all Federer fans will hate him to his guts. And then if he miraculously beats Nadal, then Federer fans will make an U turn on a dime and love him for the rest of their lives. Then in the trophy ceremony he says that he is happy because he beat the two GOAT's in sucession, and Federer fans will hate him all over again.

........... and then when he says that all of this is made possible because he did not have to face Federer along the way, they will love him.

 

[Moxie]

........... and then when he says that all of this is made possible because he did not have to face Federer along the way, they will love him.

No chance he says that.

 

[Carol]

Well, not if Lucas defeats Ralph, like he did in 2016 USO.

We know, we know, we know, we know and that's why I'd love to watch Nadal-Lucas final, it will be a massacre

 

[Moxie]

Pouille has 2 advantages going for him, only. 1.) Novak has never played him, so he'll have to explore his game to start. 2.) He can play lights out, knowing that it's his only chance, and Novak will want to be reserving something for the final, especially if it's hot to start out. I know it's a huge cliche to say that "he has to win the first set," but he does. He could win the first 2, and Novak could still beat him. But if he loses the first, I'm sure he's toast.

 

[rafanoy1992]

Pouille has 2 advantages going for him, only. 1.) Novak has never played him, so he'll have to explore his game to start. 2.) He can play lights out, knowing that it's his only chance, and Novak will want to be reserving something for the final, especially if it's hot to start out. I know it's a huge cliche to say that "he has to win the first set," but he does. He could win the first 2, and Novak could still beat him. But if he loses the first, I'm sure he's toast.

Also, Mauresmo is in his corner too now. You know she will give him all the talk to make sure he is in the correct mind.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Pouille has 2 advantages going for him, only. 1.) Novak has never played him, so he'll have to explore his game to start. 2.) He can play lights out, knowing that it's his only chance, and Novak will want to be reserving something for the final, especially if it's hot to start out. I know it's a huge cliche to say that "he has to win the first set," but he does. He could win the first 2, and Novak could still beat him. But if he loses the first, I'm sure he's toast.

He is playing really good. I saw his match against Raonic. He seems to be stronger mentally than before. He was returning those missiles nicely. His movement was amazing. Of course Raonic routinely botching the volleys helped also.

I would not say he has no changes if he loses the first. If he loses the first and the second, surely we can write him off (as even if Novak does a walkabout for a set, he will come back and clinch like he did against Shapo).