London ATP YEC - Djokovic v. Nadal SF

[Moxie]

One semi-final is set.  We may as well start talking about it, so it why not give it its own thread.  We can't do a poll yet, (Seriously, BB...no pressure... ) but feel free to make predictions.

I'd say, for the Nadal fan, the best hope is that Nadal is trending, and Djokovic seems to be showing tiny signs of burnout.  Rafa has to have a very good serving day, start and stay aggressive, and win the first set.  If he can frustrate Novak enough to draw errors, and pressure him on his serve, he's got a shot.  A long one, mind, as that's a lot of if's.  But we live in hope.  ¡Vamos, Rafa!   ::sw1::

 

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

Lets go Rafa.

No one beats Rafa 4 times in a row! Twice!!

 

[Billie]

It is potentially just 2 more matches till the end of the tournament and this season, so hopefully Nole will have enough in his tank to give it a push for just a little longer.

 

[britbox]

Looking forward to this one.  We'll open the Live Chat for it.

 

[isabelle]

Nole in 2 if he plays well, 3 if he plays bad

 

[amicitia81]

Djokovic 58 titles from 84 finals, 69% success. But who is the most effective player in ATP finals? Click here to see it

https://www.thetennisbase.com/?enlace=records&id=EQHJFPDIDE

 

Djokovic almost unbeatable when winning 1st set

https://www.thetennisbase.com/?enlace=playern&player1=DJOKOVIC,%20NOVAK&sub=2#aSubmenu

 

[shawnbm]

I think this surface favors Novak and think he wins, but it will take three sets.  Rafael has turned the corner and will prove a stern test.

 

[brokenshoelace]

So Rafa exceeds expectations and wins all three matches...and this is his reward? Kinda cruel. Anyway, this will be a massacre, unless Novak is really off.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Rafa will need to find his first serve for starters,even though he won in straight sets over Murray,his first serve was missing,Murray usually is a good returner.Novak in straight sets.

 

[EdbergsGhost]

Roger surprised Novak the other day.  Novak's team should have seen what was coming, if they'd watched the Berdych match.  Nadal doesn't have Fed's skill set, and Djoker can tie up their h2h with a win.  He should take it in two.   

 

[Moxie]

@MargaretMcAleer:  It's true that Rafa wasn't serving well v. Murray when he won, and he'll need to clean that up considerably.  @isabelle:  I agree that if Djokovic plays well he wins in two, no matter how Rafa plays.  (See this year's Beijing final, where Nadal played reasonably well and lost 2 and 2.)  However, if Nole actually plays badly, I think this Rafa can beat him.  Because when Novak plays badly, that usually means without focus, makes errors, and becomes, in some part, the author of his own destruction.  Rafa is now in a position to capitalize on that, given his own renewed focus and "calm."  Am I a small enough person to hope that Novak is suffering a bit of burn-out from the efforts of a long season of winning?  Yes, I am.  But at least I'm big enough admit that's Nadal's best chance.    (Meant in the spirit of good fun.  And don't be mad, @billie...I'm holding out a bit of hope for my guy.)

 

[Billie]

Why would I be mad if you want your guy to win?   We all hope and want our players to win.  I can only hope that Nole has enough in him to push a bit longer, seeing the end of the season is so close.  I missed today's action and it looks like both matches were lengthy.  At this point it will depend of how each of the player is feeling physically and mentally.  All 4 are great players and I am sure they will give their best, whatever it is at this point. 

 

[britbox]

I also think Novak gets this done in straight sets... but it will be competitive.

 

[Denis]

Novak in straights. Novak gets the chance to level the h2h with fedal in one weekend.

 

nadal has not turned the corner until he wins another slam.

 

[britbox]

Click for LIVE CHAT ATP WTF Semi-Final: Novak Djokovic(1) v Rafael Nadal(5)

This thread is temporarily locked until after the match, when the Chat will be merged in and the thread re-opened.

 

[britbox]

Welcome to the Live Chat for Novak Djokovic v Rafael Nadal!

 

[britbox]

Players preparing to enter the arena.

 

[Billie]

I am a bit pissed because our SportsnetOne channel decided to show BPL match live instead of Nole vs Rafa...so I'll have to watch it online

 

[britbox]

Have you found a place to watch it online?

 

[Billie]

Newcastle vs Leicester...I'll look at livescorehunter BB