WTF Final: Djokovic vs Nadal

[ClayDeath]

it all comes down to this:

who is playing the best tennis at the moment?


and that should give you some clues as to who goes in as the favorite.

it is really that simple.

quite obviously I will cheer for my player but nole is a beast on indoor hard courts these days.
this is not going to be easy.

 

[zalvar]

Well my head says Novak.

But ... Go Rafa !!

 

[Denis]

If yesterday's level of play is an indication of anything, it's going to be a relatively straightforward affair. Something like 6 - 3 6 - 2 for Djokovic.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

I know one thing this will be a big morale booster for Djokovic if he can deny Nadal the one title he hasn't claimed yet. It would be a great way to perhaps really send a message to Team Nadal that 2014 will not be easy.

 

[tennisville]

My head days Djokovic takes this in 2 sets but I will be fully behind Rafa today. He needs to win this event as he is too good a player not to have won this tournament . I really hope he pulls this out

 

[DarthFed]

I like Djokovic in 3.

I want to see the day you pick Rafa on a big match against his rivals.........

Picked Nadal to win yesterday

He said against his "rivals". :laydownlaughing

:cry

Which would pretty much leave about one player on the whole tour right now. Not really an outrageous pick on an indoor hardcourt. I wouldn't be surprised if Nadal prevailed - just prefer Djokovic for this.

Exactly. It's kind of laughable that HY takes offense to someone picking Nole in this match. He has won 20 straight and is the better indoors player. That said, Rafa has the confidence and should be better rested having played the weaker group and having an extra day. And he will fight like hell to win the last big title that has eluded him. And despite a great run recently Nole has not fought well in many of the big matches he played this year. It is close to 50-50.

 

[shawnbm]

In the States, at what time is the match and on what channel?

 

[Mog]

In the States, at what time is the match and on what channel?

Shawnbm, ESPN2 scheduled to show live at 3-00pm eastern time.

 

[Mog]

This should be well contested final. Djokovic is playing well on this surface. Rafa has not done well indoors here but playing really well here this year.
I like Nole to win and I pick him to win in 3 close sets.

 

[huntingyou]

I like Djokovic in 3.

I want to see the day you pick Rafa on a big match against his rivals.........

Picked Nadal to win yesterday

I said rivals, Roger is no rival since a couple years ago.

 

[huntingyou]

I want to see the day you pick Rafa on a big match against his rivals.........

Picked Nadal to win yesterday

He said against his "rivals". :laydownlaughing

:cry

Which would pretty much leave about one player on the whole tour right now. Not really an outrageous pick on an indoor hardcourt. I wouldn't be surprised if Nadal prevailed - just prefer Djokovic for this.

Exactly. It's kind of laughable that HY takes offense to someone picking Nole in this match. He has won 20 straight and is the better indoors player. That said, Rafa has the confidence and should be better rested having played the weaker group and having an extra day. And he will fight like hell to win the last big title that has eluded him. And despite a great run recently Nole has not fought well in many of the big matches he played this year. It is close to 50-50.

so harsh

This is specifically directed a BB...since 2006, he has never picked Rafa on a big match like this. He is the guy that said Rafa was never going to win SW19, then a HC slam, then the UO...lately, against Novak he always goes for the Serb. I just find it funny because it's so predictable and it gives me the fuzzy feeling in my belly when I come to this board and see BB pick against Nadal :snigger

 

[Emma]

I like Djokovic in 3.

I am with you on this one! Don't know about you but Nole has always beem my guy. Murray comes on top of course but these two have always been the centre of my attention.

Hopefully Nole will defend his title today. Let's go Nole!

 

[huntingyou]

Ok guys, if this was straight forward match with all things equal I would pick No2e to win this match 9 out of 10 times on this surface. The margins are small but in tennis those margins are magnified and there is no better example than Roger-Rafa............nobody in their right mind would say Rafa is two times better than Roger, but that tiny margin that transcends beyond the physical reality of 1HBH vs CC Forehand has been enough to make Rafa the better player.

I'm taking into account first, Rafa's relative freshness (a first), level of tennis (a bit higher than 2010) and his no doubt HUNGER to win what has become the most difficult event for him. He is on a mission ladies and gentleman and we know as well as Novak that Rafa will give 100% and run like a madman.

Having said that, I realize Novak is in a zone, he is the hunter and loves this role. I feel thought that four finals and two DC matches in a span of six weeks has taken a toll mentally and physically. He had a tough match against Roge-Ferrer at Paris followed by tough matches against all players in his group; especially the Delpo match.

Rafa will push Novak to his limits and get the victory in the third set. BUT, if Novak's serve is clicking for the entire match (above 65%) and Rafa fails to get a read like in China.....then Novak will prevail in two sets.

 

[Emma]

Picked Nadal to win yesterday

He said against his "rivals". :laydownlaughing

:cry

Which would pretty much leave about one player on the whole tour right now. Not really an outrageous pick on an indoor hardcourt. I wouldn't be surprised if Nadal prevailed - just prefer Djokovic for this.

Exactly. It's kind of laughable that HY takes offense to someone picking Nole in this match. He has won 20 straight and is the better indoors player. That said, Rafa has the confidence and should be better rested having played the weaker group and having an extra day. And he will fight like hell to win the last big title that has eluded him. And despite a great run recently Nole has not fought well in many of the big matches he played this year. It is close to 50-50.

so harsh

This is specifically directed a BB...since 2006, he has never picked Rafa on a big match like this. He is the guy that said Rafa was never going to win SW19, then a HC slam, then the UO...lately, against Novak he always goes for the Serb. I just find it funny because it's so predictable and it gives me the fuzzy feeling in my belly when I come to this board and see BB pick against Nadal :snigger

But I would have thought that's based on personal choice - something he is entitled to? Whether he was right about those predictions he had made in the past is irrelevant. At the end of the day, he is still man of his own choices - right or wrong.

 

[huntingyou]

But I would have thought that's based on personal choice - something he is entitled to? Whether he was right about those predictions he had made in the past is irrelevant. At the end of the day, he is still man of his own choices - right or wrong.

gosh, when personal choice became the issue here?......I'm just pointing this observation out and britbox know this because I have done it in the past as well. it's not a big deal at all and he will tell you that as well

 

[britbox]

But I would have thought that's based on personal choice - something he is entitled to? Whether he was right about those predictions he had made in the past is irrelevant. At the end of the day, he is still man of his own choices - right or wrong.

gosh, when personal choice became the issue here?......I'm just pointing this observation out and britbox know this because I have done it in the past as well. it's not a big deal at all and he will tell you that as well

Lol. Agreed, It's no big deal. You're exaggerating a bit though. In 2006 when he was playing half a mile behind the baseline I don't remember anyone suggesting he would win the US Open - you included. Obviously things evolve.

 

[Fastgrass]

No hope from dull , Djokovic will crush him , dull will be lucky if he wins set.

 

[bobvance]

If yesterday's level of play is an indication of anything, it's going to be a relatively straightforward affair. Something like 6 - 3 6 - 2 for Djokovic.

I agree, but it's hard to predict that their level of play is going to stay the same. Rafa didn't have to play especially well against Roger, and Novak's level may drop off from where it was yesterday. I'm still picking Novak but it wouldn't surprise me if Rafa makes it a close match.

 

[britbox]

If yesterday's level of play is an indication of anything, it's going to be a relatively straightforward affair. Something like 6 - 3 6 - 2 for Djokovic.

I agree, but it's hard to predict that their level of play is going to stay the same. Rafa didn't have to play especially well against Roger, and Novak's level may drop off from where it was yesterday. I'm still picking Novak but it wouldn't surprise me if Rafa makes it a close match.

I'm picking Novak but you really think it's that straightforward? I think it's a 60/40 match and it wouldn't surprise me if Nadal won it. Whatever the result, I still think it will be close either way.

 

[bobvance]

If yesterday's level of play is an indication of anything, it's going to be a relatively straightforward affair. Something like 6 - 3 6 - 2 for Djokovic.

I agree, but it's hard to predict that their level of play is going to stay the same. Rafa didn't have to play especially well against Roger, and Novak's level may drop off from where it was yesterday. I'm still picking Novak but it wouldn't surprise me if Rafa makes it a close match.

I'm picking Novak but you really think it's that straightforward? I think it's a 60/40 match and it wouldn't surprise me if Nadal won it. Whatever the result, I still think it will be close either way.

Ah, I think my post wasn't clear. I was just saying that if Novak were to redline his game I think he would beat Rafa on this court handily. But I also think that Rafa is the best player in the world at making sure guys don't play their best. So basically I agree with you. Odds are it's going to be pretty close.