The Dirt Devil vs the Serbian Slayer

[the AntiPusher]

It's official thanks to the king of Weak(Berd)

The Dirt Devil:devil vs the Serbian Slayer! Win or Season is Over!

 

[the AntiPusher]

I still think Novak in 3 sets.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Novak will win, but I cannot say 2 or 3 yet. I will vote later.

Novak is not going to lose to Rafa, no matter what is the incline, on indoor hard courts at London O2.

 

[Kieran]

Ah sure there's no way Rafa is going to beat Novak, and then Federer. Most likely he drops a calf tomorrow against Ferrer, out of fear of what's coming.

Novak is the heavy favourite. It'll be a more interesting match than you expect it to be...

 

[Kirijax]

I like these names.

Oh, and Slayer wins.

And he'll beat the Magnificent Maestro, who beats the Dimpled Destroyer in the semis.

 

[shawnbm]

I pick the Serbian Slayer in straights, although they will be hard fought.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Rafa is close but not close enough yet. Tight two sets to Nole.

 

[Kieran]

I think of this match as a good chance to take Rafa's pulse again. He was better in Beijing than he had been in New York, and he seems to have increased since then. But it's one thing to hammer Stan a couple of times, and another to face Novak on a slow indoor court that suits the Serb. So I hope Rafa goes in with both barrels blazing and let's us see how far he's really come since flushing meadow.

Either way, he's done great already, and he's under no real pressure in this match. The trick is finding a way to let Novak know that...

 

[Front242]

You forgot one thing though re Stan. He hammered himself in both of those matches. Wafa didn't have to do a whole lot so it's not much of a gauge of anything really except Stan's consistent inconsistency.

 

[the AntiPusher]

I think of this match as a good chance to take Rafa's pulse again. He was better in Beijing than he had been in New York, and he seems to have increased since then. But it's one thing to hammer Stan a couple of times, and another to face Novak on a slow indoor court that suits the Serb. So I hope Rafa goes in with both barrels blazing and let's us see how far he's really come since flushing meadow.

Either way, he's done great already, and he's under no real pressure in this match. The trick is finding a way to let Novak know that...

You are correct Brother, Rafa has nothing to loose, he can swing for the fences . The one slight chance Rafa has is to try to draw Novak into an endless baseline rallies assault. If Novak tries this and can get Novak to try to dictate with his forehand, there will be opportunities for UFEs.

 

[the AntiPusher]

You forgot one thing though re Stan. He hammered himself in both of those matches. Wafa didn't have to do a whole lot so it's not much of a gauge of anything really except Stan's consistent inconsistency.

Front you are forgetting , someone had to be on the other side of the net to be the recipient of Stan's consistent inconsistency play.

 

[Carol]

I think Rafa will beat Novak but I'm not sure if in two or three, my vote goes for two
But wait, he first will have to beat Ferru, I suppose that they are not going to have just a chat in Spanish, isn't?
By the way if Rafa wins, he probably wil do, he will play the semis the next day and if wins he wil have to play the finals the next day too, three days in a row...:nono

 

[Carol]

You forgot one thing though re Stan. He hammered himself in both of those matches. Wafa didn't have to do a whole lot so it's not much of a gauge of anything really except Stan's consistent inconsistency.

Talking about inconsistency, like Nishi and Berdych today? :cover

 

[Front242]

You forgot one thing though re Stan. He hammered himself in both of those matches. Wafa didn't have to do a whole lot so it's not much of a gauge of anything really except Stan's consistent inconsistency.

Talking about inconsistency, like Nishi and Berdych today? :cover

Berdych was never going to win and you think winning a set on this court against the guy who's won the tournament more than anyone else is a bad thing somehow? Good one. That was a very good result for Nishikori and the expected result for Berdych.

 

[Front242]

Btw, for Novak to lose to Rafa on this surface would take a "serious mental injury" from Novak. There's absolutely nothing to base thinking Nadal will win on other than outright blatant hope. This is one of Novak's best surfaces and Rafa's worst.

 

[Kirijax]

I like this term "mental injury". Youzhny pops into my head when I see it, but I think I could get used to this mental injury excuse.

 

[Kieran]

You forgot one thing though re Stan. He hammered himself in both of those matches. Wafa didn't have to do a whole lot so it's not much of a gauge of anything really except Stan's consistent inconsistency.

Well, this kind of comment is meaningless. I mean, with similar prejudice we can look at any match and wisely conclude the same, so we don't have to praise the winner... :cover

 

[Kieran]

Btw, for Novak to lose to Rafa on this surface would take a "serious mental injury" from Novak. There's absolutely nothing to base thinking Nadal will win on other than outright blatant hope. This is one of Novak's best surfaces and Rafa's worst.

I doubt Rafa will win but you're the one who sounds like they're hoping, buddy.

They've played three times in London, Rafa winning in 2010, and Novak in 2009, and 2013...

 

[Backhand_DTL]

Btw, for Novak to lose to Rafa on this surface would take a "serious mental injury" from Novak. There's absolutely nothing to base thinking Nadal will win on other than outright blatant hope. This is one of Novak's best surfaces and Rafa's worst.

My impression was that yesterday and in the second set on Tuesday Novak struggled to play with any intensity. So for whatever reason he really seems low on energy at the moment, which together with Rafa seemingly playing quite well gives the match a lot more suspense than probably anybody would have thought a week ago.

Of course it's possible that Novak will play much better tomorrow and if he reaches the level he had against Nishikori or even in the first set against Roger it should be enough to win the match but if he does play like he did against Berdych, Rafa will rightfully like his chances.

 

[Kieran]

This match takes place on Saturday at around 2pm, local time...