Early Talk about Roland Garros

[herios]

RE: 2014 Masters Series Rome Final: Djokovic v. Nadal

Roger and Stan both figure to be big threats to Novak if that is the semi. Nole seems to be the only one to really bring out Roger's game on a consistent basis and the disdain is probably a big part of the reason for it. I still think Nole has a bigger chance of being upset than Rafa before the final.

Roger is not defeating Nole this year at RG. We are not in 2011. Roger's mental lapses these days are a lot worse than Nole's.

 

[TennisFanatic7]

RE: 2014 Masters Series Rome Final: Djokovic v. Nadal

I like to think Roger has another slam in him and the way he started this year, up until the Nishikori loss in Miami, I thought he had a chance of competing for the year end number one spot, but he's now lost finals in Brisbane against Hewitt, which on its own is fairly irrelevant, but then he lost the finals of Indian Wells and Monte Carlo from a winning position too.

I think he'll reach the semis of Garros because I can't see him losing to Ferrer, Berdych or Murray in the quarter-finals or anyone else he's likely to face but it'd be very brave to bet on him beating Rafa or Nole in the last four.

 

[TennisFanatic7]

The qualifying draw for Roland Garros is out: http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/scores/draws/qs/qsdraw.pdf

James Ward faces Radu Albot
Dan Evans faces Gastao Elias
Daniel Cox faces Amir Weintraub

 

[Federberg]

RE: 2014 Masters Series Rome Final: Djokovic v. Nadal

If Roger's going to win another one it'll be at Wimbledon or possibly a less likely chance at Flushing. I agree with Herios that it's extremely unlikely Roger troubles Novak at RG

 

[herios]

RE: 2014 Masters Series Rome Final: Djokovic v. Nadal

If Roger's going to win another one it'll be at Wimbledon or possibly a less likely chance at Flushing. I agree with Herios that it's extremely unlikely Roger troubles Novak at RG

The reason I am convinced Roger is not taking out Nole at RG, is because the pattern in Roger's matches recently, his game takes a nosedive in set 3.
In 3 out of 5, he will not be able to take out Nole, on clay or on hard (sorry I don't see it at USO either).
Lone chance on grass.

 

[DarthFed]

RE: 2014 Masters Series Rome Final: Djokovic v. Nadal

Roger and Stan both figure to be big threats to Novak if that is the semi. Nole seems to be the only one to really bring out Roger's game on a consistent basis and the disdain is probably a big part of the reason for it. I still think Nole has a bigger chance of being upset than Rafa before the final.

Roger is not defeating Nole this year at RG. We are not in 2011. Roger's mental lapses these days are a lot worse than Nole's.

Roger wasn't anything special in 2011 either...aside from that tournament. I also don't think Nole is at 2011 levels as well.

 

[Federberg]

RE: 2014 Masters Series Rome Final: Djokovic v. Nadal

There is a match up issue, but when Novak is zoning he seems to be able to handle Roger ok on slow surfaces. I'm not convinced Novak would have it all his own way at Flushing. Let's be honest.. Roger choked the last semi they had at Flushing

 

[DarthFed]

RE: 2014 Masters Series Rome Final: Djokovic v. Nadal

^ Last 2 semis he choked. Roger shot himself in the foot 3 straight USO's between 2009-2011 and then had ugly losses the last 2 years. I'd like to think he is due to show up well there at least one more time!

 

[Federberg]

RE: 2014 Masters Series Rome Final: Djokovic v. Nadal

^my feeling too. It's lazy thinking to assume given his performances there in recent years, that he doesn't stand a chance. I liken Rogers chances at Flushing to his chances at Dubai. He can definitely take Nole there, even now. For me, it's important to see how he manages the draw before forming conclusions

 

[the AntiPusher]

RE: 2014 Masters Series Rome Final: Djokovic v. Nadal

Roger and Stan both figure to be big threats to Novak if that is the semi. Nole seems to be the only one to really bring out Roger's game on a consistent basis and the disdain is probably a big part of the reason for it. I still think Nole has a bigger chance of being upset than Rafa before the final.

This is amazingly true.. a bit of catch 22 for Roger, If he defeats Novak he takes out the biggest threat to Rafa's number 14. Can you believe some "other" Rafa fans actually root for Roger..

 

[DarthFed]

RE: 2014 Masters Series Rome Final: Djokovic v. Nadal

^ It would be an interesting scenario this time. In 2011 he wouldn't have thought that way but there is no way it wouldn't cross his mind if he meets Novak in the semi this year. Given what Nole had done in 2011 I think that was still a big time win even though it won the RG trophy for Nadal. This year I think it would just be something that could end up damaging his legacy by helping Rafa get closer to 17.

 

[mrzz]

RE: 2014 Masters Series Rome Final: Djokovic v. Nadal

^ sorry but this (top) guys can lose 100 matches to a single oponent and still think they have a chance. It has to be like that. Given what "any given day" means to any one of them, it is like that.

 

[nehmeth]

RE: 2014 Masters Series Rome Final: Djokovic v. Nadal

Roger and Stan both figure to be big threats to Novak if that is the semi. Nole seems to be the only one to really bring out Roger's game on a consistent basis and the disdain is probably a big part of the reason for it. I still think Nole has a bigger chance of being upset than Rafa before the final.

This is amazingly true.. a bit of catch 22 for Roger, If he defeats Novak he takes out the biggest threat to Rafa's number 14. Can you believe some "other" Rafa fans actually root for Roger..

uzzled Almost as often as some Roger fans root for Novak uzzled

 

[TsarMatt]

RE: 2014 Masters Series Rome Final: Djokovic v. Nadal

Oh, absolutely, I'm not denying that. I just remember it happening live and the whole anti-Rafa section on a particular tennis forum blowing up like crazy for simply pointing his finger.

It was so hilarious because he was right but they were too obscured with hatred to see it. It's become quite the 'notorious' picture across that landscape.

I guess I should have clarified that in my post, though.

Oh, I've seen Nole fans still insist that Nole was robbed and deny that he broke the rules. I've seen the umpire called a cheat - and I've seen the suggestion that the umpire served a subsequent "silent ban" for making such an error.

Not all of these have I seen on this forum, but it seemed harder to accept that he blew it than it was to blame others...

EDIT: it makes a lovely avatar pic, though... :clap

Haha, love the avatar! I nearly spat out my morning coffee when I saw it, no kidding.

 

[brokenshoelace]

RE: 2014 Masters Series Rome Final: Djokovic v. Nadal

Roger and Stan both figure to be big threats to Novak if that is the semi. Nole seems to be the only one to really bring out Roger's game on a consistent basis and the disdain is probably a big part of the reason for it. I still think Nole has a bigger chance of being upset than Rafa before the final.

This is amazingly true.. a bit of catch 22 for Roger, If he defeats Novak he takes out the biggest threat to Rafa's number 14. Can you believe some "other" Rafa fans actually root for Roger..

Yes, I can totally believe that. I love how people here act like it's some sort of unethical behavior to root for some player for self-serving reasons. If Novak Djokovic is the biggest threat to the player I root for, then I'll root for whoever he is playing against in hopes of him being sent out.

That's how most fans think. Except most won't admit it.

At least I actually like Roger and respect his game, so I don't feel like a total traitor when I root for him

 

[tented]

RE: 2014 Masters Series Rome Final: Djokovic v. Nadal

Roger and Stan both figure to be big threats to Novak if that is the semi. Nole seems to be the only one to really bring out Roger's game on a consistent basis and the disdain is probably a big part of the reason for it. I still think Nole has a bigger chance of being upset than Rafa before the final.

This is amazingly true.. a bit of catch 22 for Roger, If he defeats Novak he takes out the biggest threat to Rafa's number 14. Can you believe some "other" Rafa fans actually root for Roger..

Yes, I can totally believe that. I love how people here act like it's some sort of unethical behavior to root for some player for self-serving reasons. If Novak Djokovic is the biggest threat to the player I root for, then I'll root for whoever he is playing against in hopes of him being sent out.

That's how most fans think. Except most won't admit it.

I'll admit it.

At least I actually like Roger and respect his game, so I don't feel like a total traitor when I root for him

As a Fedal fan, I always root for Roger -- unless he's playing Rafa. If Roger wins, then so be it. I don't like it ('07 Wimbledon & '10 WTF final especially), but it's not the end of the world, either.

[AP - I hope you'll still talk to me, even though I've admitted I root for Roger. ]

 

[Kieran]

RE: 2014 Masters Series Rome Final: Djokovic v. Nadal

Ah here lads, you's have rooted for Wodger? :gross:

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

RE: 2014 Masters Series Rome Final: Djokovic v. Nadal

Ah here lads, you's have rooted for Wodger? :gross:

Hey Kieren.....I hope you not pointing that finger at me...

 

[Kieran]

RE: 2014 Masters Series Rome Final: Djokovic v. Nadal

Not you, fashionista, I couldn't think anything bad about you...

 

[Moxie]

RE: 2014 Masters Series Rome Final: Djokovic v. Nadal

^ I don't see anything wrong with rooting for someone to beat your player's nemesis or biggest threat. If you're going to watch a sporting event, it's more fun if you pick a side anyway. I don't think it it's particularly tasteful or amusing to make a big deal out of it, like ol' Mastoor, whose new favorite player was always the guy playing Rafa. I root for Roger sometimes. He does play pretty tennis. (Just don't make me listen to his press conferences. :laydownlaughing )