2021 Wimbledon Final: Berrettini vs. Djokovic

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

hope berry gives djoko afew things to think about at least, a match with some drama maybe,

 

[Moxie]

Novak did not lose 2015 RG due to his inability to handle pressure. He was simply blown off the court.

There is a small chance of that happening tomorrow as well considering Matteo has a big serve and forehand (and unlike Shapo plays the big points better).
In fact, I see getting blown off the court is the only way Novak will lose, if at all he loses. Novak is not going to lose in a cat and mouse game due to feeling jittery.

I will always disagree about that 2015 RG final. Personally, I feel that Novak pulled back when he won the first set. I've gotten flak for saying that, but even Djokovic fans said it on live chat, at the time. When he pulled back, he gave Wawrinka room, and increasing belief. When he realized that he was in trouble, and Stan wasn't going to burn out or self-implode, it was too late.

A similar thing can happen on Sunday. Berrettini is a big server, big hitter. He can hit through Djokovic. If he can get ahead of him at all, and unsettle Novak, the weight of what Djokovic is trying to do could slow his legs and his head. I'm not expecting it to happen, but I'm thinking this is the only path to success for Matteo. I mean, unless he just ball-out serves Novak off the court, and breaks 3 times in 3 sets. Hoping for that.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I will always disagree about that 2015 RG final. Personally, I feel that Novak pulled back when he won the first set. I've gotten flak for saying that, but even Djokovic fans said it on live chat, at the time. When he pulled back, he gave Wawrinka room, and increasing belief. When he realized that he was in trouble, and Stan wasn't going to burn out or self-implode, it was too late.

A similar thing can happen on Sunday. Berrettini is a big server, big hitter. He can hit through Djokovic. If he can get ahead of him at all, and unsettle Novak, the weight of what Djokovic is trying to do could slow his legs and his head. I'm not expecting it to happen, but I'm thinking this is the only path to success for Matteo. I mean, unless he just ball-out serves Novak off the court, and breaks 3 times in 3 sets. Hoping for that.

I agree with that narrative of RG 2015 to some extent. In fact, I would also say similar thing happened in the second set of USO final of 2009. Fed was not aggressive enough in the second set. Fed assumed that JMDP being a greenhorn will give it to him and thus he lost the second set. Having said that, I would not put any kind of asterisk over that loss. JMDP took the racquet out of the hands of Fed in the last two sets with 100 mph winners of both wings.

I guess the moral of the story is that if the opponent has firepower, you should not even given them an inch and let them into the match. In order to avoid similar things happening, Novak should not give Matteo any hope at any point of time during the match.

Having said that, I can understand why both Novak and Fed were not as aggressive as they could have been. Come on, you are up a set and playing against a lesser player and you feel like you don't have to push all the way. It is easy for us to say in retrospect.

 

[the AntiPusher]

There is an argument that Novak could be stressed by the pressure, which was why he was so less-than today. And he hasn't always handled it well. One could have said that he wouldn't let the 2015 FO go by, and yet he did. I agree that he will amp his level for the final, or try to, and he was able to save his emotional energy today, since Shapo only pressured him somewhat.

Berrettini has to serve as well as he did today, if not better, because more of those serves will come back. He has to get on top of Novak and take advantage of Novak's pressure on himself. It was somewhat evident today.

Matteo's game needs to be unpredictable to defeat Novak.

 

[Moxie]

I agree with that narrative of RG 2015 to some extent. In fact, I would also say similar thing happened in the second set of USO final of 2009. Fed was not aggressive enough in the second set. Fed assumed that JMDP being a greenhorn will give it to him and thus he lost the second set. Having said that, I would not put any kind of asterisk over that loss. JMDP took the racquet out of the hands of Fed in the last two sets with 100 mph winners of both wings.

I guess the moral of the story is that if the opponent has firepower, you should not even given them an inch and let them into the match. In order to avoid similar things happening, Novak should not give Matteo any hope at any point of time during the match.

Having said that, I can understand why both Novak and Fed were not as aggressive as they could have been. Come on, you are up a set and playing against a lesser player and you feel like you don't have to push all the way. It is easy for us to say in retrospect.

I agree with you to some extent about Roger v. Juan Martín in 2009 at the USO, too. It's possible that there was a certain amount of relaxing at the wrong moment, underestimating, whatever. Expecting the "lesser" player to run out of gas or self-implode? I also agree that neither match gets an asterisk. Won fair and square. Will Novak fall into the same trap twice? I'm thinking not, if he can avoid it. Berrettini has to take the racquet out of his hands, as early and as often as possible. If Novak's serving numbers are anything like they were today, Matteo has a shot at him.

 

[Moxie]

Matteo's game needs to be unpredictable to defeat Novak.

Basically, I agree. I don't think he'll win if he tries to play outside of his comfort zone, wholly. He's got to have a great serving day, full stop. But, yes, I would agree that he should try to discomfit Novak early, including by rushing him at the net. Lose some points by getting passed, but give Novak something to think about. Pressure that 2nd serve, especially if it's as weak-ass as it was today. Matteo is not going to win the war of the base-line rallies, that's for sure.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Basically, I agree. I don't think he'll win if he tries to play outside of his comfort zone, wholly. He's got to have a great serving day, full stop. But, yes, I would agree that he should try to discomfit Novak early, including by rushing him at the net. Lose some points by getting passed, but give Novak something to think about. Pressure that 2nd serve, especially if it's as weak-ass as it was today. Matteo is not going to win the war of the base-line rallies, that's for sure.

Man, Tsitspas screwed this up by not winning RG afterwards being up 2 sets to Love.

The thing with Novak is everyone gets into a comfort zone whenever they can just have a long rallies from the baseline with him. That's the allore that he provides which is just an illusion.

Hey, let's give the young Italian credit, he definitely deserves to be playing on Sunday and hopefully if he gets his chance to be up two sets that he will realize the job is not complete until down match point and hits the ball over the baseline.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Man, Tsitspas screwed this up by not winning RG afterwards being up 2 sets to Love.

The thing with Novak is everyone gets into a comfort zone whenever they can just have a long rallies from the baseline with him. That's the allore that he provides which is just an illusion.

Hey, let's give the young Italian credit, he definitely deserves to be playing on Sunday and hopefully if he gets his chance to be up two sets that he will realize the job is not complete until down match point and hits the ball over the baseline.

Hopefully Matteo won't choke when it matters,he played a very tight t/break against Hubie in the 3rd set,though he reset his game to win in the 4th set,sometimes he finds it hard to close out matches.

 

[don_fabio]

The only way Berrettini has a chance here is if Novak gets super nervous and plays subpar for 3 sets. They played 6 sets so far. Novak destroyed him in 4 sets, lost one in TB and won one tight set. Expecting Novak to switch up a few gears for the final and get it done without allowing too much for the hot opponent, but could also see some nerves come into play and extended match to 4 or 5 sets. Berretinni needs to serve lights out to make Novak uncomfortable, but many times these great servers face Novak and then get broken like 7 times. It's a little bit for Novak like playing against Raonic, with exception that Berettini is better from the baseline. He has 12:0 against Raonic.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Hopefully Matteo won't choke when it matters,he played a very tight t/break against Hubie in the 3rd set,though he reset his game to win in the 4th set,sometimes he finds it hard to close out matches.

It's tough to close out matches vs a pro tennis player. Typically the play the percentages and try to force you to make the UFE..

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

It's tough to close out matches vs a pro tennis player. Typically the play the percentages and try to force you to make the UFE..

Yep, still Matteo has to learn to close his matches out especially when he is serving for the match

 

[Mile]

Doker stated he had stomach problems and a headache yesterday while playing.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Marija Cicak from Croatia will be the chair umpire of men's singles final.She is the first female chair umpire of men's singles final at Wimbledon.

 

[don_fabio]

Marija Cicak from Croatia will be the chair umpire of men's singles final.She is the first female chair umpire of men's singles final at Wimbledon.

Woohoo, go Croatia!
I always wondered how you become a chair umpire.
Cool story below.

https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1744...-umpire-marija-cicak-leads-the-way-for-others

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Woohoo, go Croatia!
I always wondered how you become a chair umpire.
Cool story below.

https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1744...-umpire-marija-cicak-leads-the-way-for-others

Very deserving Cicak has been one of my favorite umpires,glad that a women finally broke the barrier at the All England Club

 

[Mile]

Marija Cicak from Croatia will be the chair umpire of men's singles final.She is the first female chair umpire of men's singles final at Wimbledon.

Eva Asderaki ?!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Eva Asderaki was the first female umpire, to umpire a mens final at the USO between Novak and Roger in 2015.

 

[El Dude]

Ye o little faith. Berretini is going to win this in 5, maybe even 4.

 

[Fiero425]

Ye o little faith. Berretini is going to win this in 5, maybe even 4.

After Djokovic was able to take his 2nd French Open, not to be greedy, I wouldn't mind anyone but Fedal to win Wimbledon! I doubt Matteo has the will and ability to upset Nole at this point, but anything's possible! I'd live if he took it! I won't update Nole's blog until the result is final tmrw!

 

[Vince Evert]

Matteo to win and in so doing, giving the sport a much needed shot in the arm.

Certainly this year's championships is one of the more mediocre ones i've seen in near 43 years i been a tennis fan.

Italy to win the EURO. Yeah i'm aussie but i have more than a drop of italian blood running in my veins.

FORZA ITALIA !