Wimbledon Draw

[Murat Baslamisli]

Close to worse case scenario for Roger to defend 2000 points.

 

[huntingyou]

Close to worse case scenario for Roger to defend 2000 points.

I said three years ago, he ain't beating Rafa in a Slam ever again. His best bet is too hope for a Rafa upset. If he is clicking, he can still take Murray/Tsonga and Novak/Berdych/Haas in the finals back to back.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

Djokovic could not have asked for a better draw. I hope he makes the most of it!

He could actually, because he got the highest unseeded player in R1, who's a former QF and the toughest match-up for him on grass in R4.
Of course, his SF oppoenent will be most likely an easy one, but he has to get there first.

Sure anything can happen, but looking at his half as opposed to say the bottom half, he has a pretty good shot at the finals should he come in with a strong mentality and on point. I am sure Roger, Nadal or Murray would love the draw that Djoker was dealt. Actually, I would say if Djoker doesn't make the finals, then I would consider it a huge disappointment.

 

[Asmodeus]

I actually don't think the draw is THAT bad for Federer. Here's why:

1. If Federer has to face Nadal in a GS then it would seem better to face him earlier than in a final. Now. I'm not saying he'll win but it's a better scenario for him.
2. Federer can be Murray on grass. He can lose, but I don't think he's too worried as long as he plays his A game.
3. Of all the top 8 opponents to meet in the final, I think Federer would not mind facing The Joke since he knows he can beat him on grass. In fact, I think Federer would prefer facing him in a final rather than Nadal, Murray, or, say, Bearditch.

Why The Joke's draw is a bit harder:
1. It looks like he has some higher ranked players to face early.
2. He may have to face Del Poo Poo who, if I recall, beat him here last year in the Olympics. I don't think Del Poo Poo's been playing all that well so we'll have to wait and see.
3. He has Bearditch in his half and anytime Bearditch is not in Federer's half is always a good draw.

Anyway, let's sit back and enjoy the ride.

 

[El Dude]

[split] Wimbledon Draw

Wow. This draw couldn't have been easier for Novak, unless you switched out Haas and Berdych I suppose. But I don't see Novak struggling with them at a Slam. Should be an easy Final at least for him.

 

[Denis]

^^ The picture looks.... weird!!!

Fun match, I'd like to see it.

Btw, isn't Steve Darcis (Oliviers brother right) the guy who made the comments on Nadal doping? I hope he is ready to swallow some bakery products if that is true. Or was it someone else? I can't remember.

That was Olivier's brother Christophe.

Ah right, I'm messing up the Belgians. So we have Steve Darcis (who is actually not that small) Olivier Rochus (who is very very small) and Christophe Rochus (who likes to say bad things about Nadal). Got it.

 

[shawnbm]

It is going to be a fabulous fortnight--I can't wait.

 

[Kieran]

Admit it: the only man in the top 4 who could pull off that schedule successfully is Nadal. Looking forward to the draw before I rubber stamp my predictions...

That's what I wrote, and guess what? It's the draw we have. Unfair? I don't think so. It shows integrity that they didn't try rig the jury. Novak has the kinda draw that Roger used to have for his first few W's. Novak is favourite here to win, but I don't think he will. I will stick to my guns: Nadal to go through the field like fury, once he finds his grass legs.

I'm tipping Ralph.

Roger is a man I'll never discount, but this is hard draw for a 31 year old. Murray might not make the semis. I certainly think the winner comes from Djofedal, with GB left sucking their gums again...

 

[Denis]

^ If Rafa can barely beat No1e on clay, he will have even more difficulty beating him on any other surface. And facing Roger in the quarters is not as good for him as the finals. Plus, after that he will have to face Tsonga/Murray. Bookies favour Djokovic (5/4) over Murray (10/3) over Nadal (9/2).

 

[SF Nadalite]

Fun draw...initially a tad peeved about the Rafa/Fed combo...but looks fairly close - Novak potentially has Haas + Berdych, two of his losses this year, hardly a walk in the park - Rafa + Fed have some bumps in their way - Andy has a few as well.

I foresee little sleep next week

 

[rafanoy1992]

^ If Rafa can barely beat No1e on clay, he will have even more difficulty beating him on any other surface. And facing Roger in the quarters is not as good for him as the finals. Plus, after that he will have to face Tsonga/Murray. But the bookies agree with you strange enough (if I get the odds thing right).

What makes you think of that, Denisovich? In my opinion, whether or not they face each other in the Finals or Quarters, it will still be highly contested match. Also, the grass by the Quarterfinals is already dry so it wouldn't make a difference.

 

[huntingyou]

^ If Rafa can barely beat No1e on clay, he will have even more difficulty beating him on any other surface. And facing Roger in the quarters is not as good for him as the finals. Plus, after that he will have to face Tsonga/Murray. Bookies favour Djokovic (5/4) over Murray (10/3) over Nadal (9/2).

If Nole can barely beat Rafa on hardcourts, he will have even a more difficulty beating him on any other surface.

Could care less about bookies, if Rafa makes the quarters...he is going to town and it will be sweeter if Novak happens to be in the final which is not a given.

 

[ftan]

Oh Roger has a tough ask.. I dont think he will be able to make a run this year.

Which side is Gulbis on ?

 

[Riotbeard]

^ If Rafa can barely beat No1e on clay, he will have even more difficulty beating him on any other surface. And facing Roger in the quarters is not as good for him as the finals. Plus, after that he will have to face Tsonga/Murray. Bookies favour Djokovic (5/4) over Murray (10/3) over Nadal (9/2).

If Nole can barely beat Rafa on hardcourts, he will have even a more difficulty beating him on any other surface.

Could care less about bookies, if Rafa makes the quarters...he is going to town and it will be sweeter if Novak happens to be in the final which is not a given.

All of this is kind of stupid. Novak and Rafa can beat each other on any surface. That is what makes their matches great! The advantage that novak has is that he doesn't have to go through roger and murray en route to the final. While nadal won't be physically tired at least not to meaningfully effect the outcome, it will be mentally tiring. Both have taken each other to the limits on their best respective surfaces, so jabbing at each other is stupid. Either could win at wimbledon. Let's be honest about berdych. He is a great grass player and has beaten novak on grass once, but it is overall a match up I think djokovic would prefer compared to say nadal or tsonga, who he could have had to face in the quarters. DelPo could be a problem if he plays well, but if they were to meet in the semi's it is likely delpo would be pretty tired compared to novak.

I think Novak should win it based on the draw, but Murray or Nadal have a good chance. I think Roger is the fourth favorite at best. Might even give the edge to one of the big hitters.

 

[justapasserby]

-_- OMG this draw is so lopsided they should tilt the draw boards to the side where rafa and roger are to emphasize it. guess roger crashes of the top four now.

but looking at the silver lining (however thin it may be), if roger wins this, then he most probably would do it against the top 3 which is a big reward i guess.

in any case, me thinks my tournament ends by the quarters

 

[Mog]

If Rafa meets Djoko in the final, Rafa has better chances to beat Djoko on Wimbledon grass. I don't know how well Roger will come to play. If he is on (with his serve and fh)and meets Rafa in QF, he has better chances to beat Rafa on there. Wimbledon is wide open and anyone of big four could win.
Kieran thinks Murray may not make the semi. It is possible that two of the big four may not make the semis this time.
No one is a clear favourite this time and that makes it very interesting.
As Shawnbm says it will be a fabulous fortnight.

 

[Front242]

Gonna be a whole different top 10 after this tournament that's for sure.

 

[Front242]

RE: Seedings at Wimbledon

Not so sure about that. Haas played Novak pretty tough on clay and he's pretty formidable on grass. Their RG match was not an easy match at all for Djokovic and I wouldn't be at all surprised if Tommy managed a win here. A lot depends on his serve. Think he served 9 DFs against Fed at Halle and that won't cut it. If he serves well though anything's possible.

 

[tented]

I got curious what people predicted prior to last year's Wimbledon, so I searched a few threads on the old site. Below is a list of some comments which stood out.

I'm not including usernames on purpose. My purpose isn't to embarrass people. However, I will point out that DarthFed -- by far -- made the most correct predictions, and not just because he's a Roger fan. His analyses of other people, and various factors, were often spot on. If you're into betting, I suggest paying attention to his posts.

OK, here's the list:

---

I predict top 4 won't be in the SF. There is no way Murray makes it through.

*****

I see huge upset potential for Murray, who could be the recipient of either a Dimitrov or Raonic breakthrough. Raonic vs. Del Potro could be epic - if Murray makes it that far I don't se him beating Delpo.

Rafa's draw is laughable until Tsonga, which will be another possible upset.

Here's my picks for the QF:

Djokovic v. Berdych
Federer v. Seppi
Del Potro v. Raonic
Tsonga v. Nadal

*****

But lately Fed has done worse against Djokovic than he has against Nadal. IIRC Fed's lost 5 of the last 6 times to Djoko.

The straight set RG loss to Djoko was bad, mainly because it showed that Fed might have lost belief against Djokovic. Whatever leads he had in that match he squandered.

Even on grass, a surface that favors Fed, I would be very surprised if Fed beats Djokovic.

*****

But yes, Djokovic would still be the huge favorite against Roger in that semi.

*****

We have to assume that the top 4 will all make it to the SF even if some have an easy path. I actually think they are stronger coming through tough earlier rounds because it toughens them up for the business end of the tournament.

*****

As for me, Murray has the toughest draw.. he has a lot of threats before reaching the semis, and I highly doubt Murray will get through.

*****

Final: Djokovic def. Delpo

*****

I feel 3of the top 4 (Novak, Rafa and Murray) would be taken out before the Semi Final. [<- My personal favorite!]

*****

In many ways this is a perfect storm for Rafa and I think we might see a rematch of the 2008 wimbledon

*****

If Nole makes it to the semis, I think he will beat Roger. He has beaten him in 6 of the last 7 matches they have played. He's bound to be in Roger's head a little bit.

*****

I'm quite looking forward to Nole being the first player to beat Roger in the semifinals of all the grand slams.

*****

i feel murray and fed are the most prone to upsets. if either rafa or nole dont get to finals ill be really surprised.

*****

my predictions:

Q1: Djokovic def Berdych in 4
Q2: Fed def Isner in 4
Q3: Del Potro def Murray in 5
Q4: Nadal def Tsonga in 4

SF1: Djokovic def Fed in 4
SF2: Nadal def Del Potro in 5

Final: Djokovic def Nadal in 5.

*****

The first week should be just getting comfortable on grass, and getting ready for the QFs and SFs. Murray has the most difficult quarter, and may have trouble making it to the 2nd week.

*****

Nadal may not win Wimbledon, but I absolutely like his chances against anyone in the draw...

*****

Which of the "Big 4" will loose (lose) early? it looks like it's gonna be Federer.

*****

I think Roger is the most prone to upset before the semis

*****

How mnay times you need Nole to win at Wimbledon to recongnize he can play on lawn?

*****

Good that Raonic is healthy this year. Should be a major threat in the early rounds.

*****

anyone not backing a Nadal v Djokovic final is (being polite) a foolhardy speculator or (being blunt) clinically insane.

*****

Fed or Murray making the final would constitute a shock

 

[Moxie]

Ah, a blast from the past! What do we know, eh? :laydownlaughing