Sean, I think even Novak has doubts after that tough win over Monfils; this was the extent of his post-match presser, from what I can tell anyhow (I’ll post it in full since Blake’s, Nadal’s and Fed’s pressers are already posted at this site - can’t find Gonza’s anywhere):

Q. Give a comment about your semifinal. You’ll fight against Rafael. Do you have enough confidence to defeat him again after defeating him a week and a half ago?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: The fact is I have enough confidence. Now the question is if I will have enough physical strength to hold on.

So it’s been exhausting tournament so far for all of us. I came to the semifinal and I’m not gonna think about me being tired or things like that. I pulled out a great match today. Incredible tiring exhausting physically and mentally. But the most important thing is that I won. So I did win last couple of times against Nadal that we played on this surface, so this can be a little advantage for me.

But, as I said, you know, it’s going to be very close, and hopefully I can get the positive outcome.

“The earlier, 4pm local time semi is a real toss-up between two guys who can run hot and cold. Gonzalez has owned Blake, just like Federer did, and usually when I put my chips on James that’s when he does me wrong. I believe the U.S. is still in front in the medal count, especially after Michael Phelps won again today – and go with him to get to the final.”

In front of whom? Chile? Certainly not China. 22 to 13 last I checked.

Great swims this morning I must admit. That was one massive upset by Rebbecca Soni over Liesel Jones, snatching her world record and winning by a huge margin in the process. Upset of the Water Cube so far I’d say. Good on her. And Michael Phelps is too cool for school. That guy is the best I’ve ever seen.

I’m not an American, but I’ve been rooting for the Americans a lot in swimming.

“I can only imaging he’ll be like fresh meat to opponents come US Open time in 10 days or so. That aura is long gone, at least on hardcourts it is. Maybe Roger should stick to claycourt events, start playing Kitzbuhel, get back to Gstaad. Who knows.”

I still believe that Federer is a better clay court player than Nadal is a grass court player. However, Nadal is also better on clay than Federer is on grass, so he is going to be harder to beat at RG than Federer is at Wimby. This is why I think that as long as Nadal stands in his way at RG, Federer will not be winning it. Loading up a clay schedule now is just going to send a message that he’s desperate. He shouldn’t worry about it. Being #2 isn’t so bad. Just take some time off and focus on the bigger events. A coach might help also.

After Wimbledon, Nadal was my pick for the US Open. I don’t think he will win it anymore, but he has a good chance at the Australian next year. It’s hard to rule him out now since he’s guaranteed to make a medal match (either for Bronze or Gold), but the gruelling conditions in Beijing plus a doubles run and then a quick recovery required before heading back to the US, is going to take its toll on him.

If he maintains his form, I do see him completing a career grand slam at some point in the next 4 years. There are people who can upset him, but given enough tries he should either be able to get past them or avoid them completely.

“I believe the U.S. is still in front in the medal count”

Oh wait… you were referring to total medal count, not just golds weren’t you? In that case I think you’re right. But the Chinese aren’t going to want to trade all their golds for those bronzes.

“The Swiss team will complete their match with the Indian dynamic duo Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi in the doubles quarterfinal. The match was suspended at 1-1.”

Incorrect. The match was suspended when the Swiss team were leading 4-1.

And you should update the records section. You might say that you update them at the end of each year, but how can that be?
In the “ALL LEFTY GRAND SLAM FINALS”, Nadal’s 2005 win over Puerta at the French Open isn’t even listed. Shameful.

Remember what I told you guys? And you thought that I was bashing Fed???? Really, all these players once he used to beat are beating Fed these days! You guys only like what you want to hear! But I wasn’t bashing Fed! So get really! Gonzale would probably wants another rare win from Federer, too!

And wait for Federer his forehand and backhand to go bonkers! So Nadal’s win at Wimbledon, also opened the door for others!

Well, Blake’s not going to get any gold medal. He’s just lost to Gonzo.
As a Brit, I was quite pleased Andy Murray didn’t stay long at the Olympics; it gives him a better chance to be fit for the USO. Also, I hope Rafa wins in Beijing rather than Novak. The Serb should be the top player Murray can aim at in the immediate future. Can’t see him overcoming Rafa yet unless he (Rafa)runs out of steam.
As for Federer, what can you say? Earlier, we were (rightly) urged not to write him off too quickly, but here we are with just one Slam left, and does anyone seriously see him winning that? If things don’t turn around soon, maybe he’ll do a Justine in 2009.

Really, nothing against him! But he is a typical fanboy!

I am getting bored by Safina-Jankovic match. How miserable is it to watch each taking turn to be broken by her own double fault? Now they are playing the same way in the 3rd set. Nothing exciting.
I hope this match gets over soon so that DJ-Rafa semi can begin.

I don’t think Federer will win the USO. If he continue to play like he’s playing right now, he’s pretty lucky if he get past the 4th round.

And why is he complaining about his lack of practice? While Rafa, Djoko and Murray still sweating it out, he’d already been ousted too early in last couple of tournaments so he should have more time practicing.

I pretty much agree with what Colin. I don’t think that, Blake would creates problems for Nadal these days. And where’s that dude who made the Aussie Open final this year??? He’s a goner like Bagdatis! But I somehow feel that, Nalbandian could means problem for Nadal. If they ever play again!

“And why is he complaining about his lack of practice?”

I wonder about this too, especially since after losing in Toronto Roger claimed he practiced “3 maybe 4 days” between Wimbledon and Toronto, and yet there was, I believe, nearly 3 weeks between the 2 tournaments. Wimbledon ended July 7; Toronto began July 21. Surely he could’ve fit in a little more than 3 days practice! Even if he took a full week off.

Probably, what he should’ve done, is taken some time off after he was diagnosed with mono. Maybe he could’ve skipped Dubai, and the spring MS events on hardcourt, as he wasn’t defending a ton of points there anyhow.

Well, Gonza will get a third (!) Olympic medal to add to his bronze in singles and gold in doubles. Will it be silver to complete the set?

The Rafa-Djoko semifinal match is about to begin!!!
There is a live streaming feed @ http://tinyurl.com/5lb854 btw.

It’s really hot there today (90 degrees) and very humid; Safina looked like she just got out of the shower after pulling out that 3 set win.

Hopefully, given that it’s later, it’ll be cooler for Rafa and Djoko. Either way, I still give the edge to Rafa, mainly because Djoko will be tired from yesterday’s late and long match.

Everyone is suddenly down on Federer, even though he is still ill obviously from the Mono I think. He gave us beautiful tennis over the years, Nadal is a good player but his game has no style and is very physical then again the pulling out of his shorts all through his game is rather ugly - imagine your #1 player displaying that action.

Djokovic faces triple break point in the opening game. Then, he comes back to take Ad and makes an easy forehand error. But he luckily serves well twice in a row and holds. Hope he can hang in there to make the match interesting !

Rafa’s holding easily and looking the fresher of the two; Djoko is making more errors. I agree Shital; I hope Novak can hang in and make a match of it, even if we’re both thinking Rafa will win the match.

Rafa is serving extremely well, better than Djoko. Djoko has already made a couple of UEs. He faces break point on his serve second time. And he is broken in the 5th game as of his returns lands short in the middle of the court to allow Rafa hit a forehand winner in the corner.
So Rafa leads 4-2.

On the side note, Paul Gasol, a member of racist squad of Spanish basketball, is in the audience (anyone read about the controversial ad. about the Chinese eyes?).

This first set will be over in a jiffy; Djoko needs a shot in the arm!

I thought all along Rafa would win, but this is a blowout and Novak is a shadow of the fighter he was yesterday. I dislike watching him when he gets all negative and mopey. He needs to snap out of it.

This is turning into a miserable match to watch. Now Djoko gets broken 2nd time, this time by a double fault.
Looks like this will be a straight set win for Rafa.

It is good that he loosened up to take at least one break back. To keep the match close and not go out humiliated, Djoko has to serve like he did in the 9th game of the 1st set.

Looks like Paes-Bhupathi felt the brunt of Roger’s wrath.

“They both came up guns-a-blazing,” Paes said. “We got stuck with Roger just playing unbelievable tennis.”

When the match resumed Friday afternoon under the first blue sky of the Beijing Games, the crowd gave Federer a standing ovation.

Atleast we know the Chinese know their Champions.

The Bryans are the Roger Federer of doubles and unlike him they are doing fine this year, so Fedwrinka might not put that across them, but it is just awesome that Fed can comeback and put one across one of the doubles team I have resepected over the years. I am a huge fan of Paes, but yesterday I was rooting for Fedex!

woohoo! Rafa gets one set across jokebich. Just cannot root against a player who gives it his all like Rafa!

Vamos Rafa!

when will the bryans match with fed/willy wonka begin?

Jane,
I know you are watching the match. In th 10th game, Djoko should have been able to take another break back, but he made 3 easy UEs. It is not that Rafa won the 1st set because he was hitting a lot of winners (actually, none in the 10th game). I had a hunch that Djoko’s forehand would not be consistent, esp when he is fatigued.
He will lose precisely because of the this.
All we can hope is a good match, though not enough sign for that.

msnbc TV has the game on live now.

Good to see Djoko making some effort and taking an early break in the 2nd set. Hope he can make it a 3 setter, even if he is to lose at the end.

Shital,

You’re right; I thought that Djoko might even things up at the end of the first set. He got so close, to 30-40 in the last game, but the insurance break Rafa had saved him. Djoko just started to slowly imo; he looked like he wasn’t awake (but that’s probably just me…). And then he got negative as he can sometimes do.

I actually like players that show their emotions on the court; makes me identify with them more. But I don’t like when their emotions hurt their games, as can be the case with some of my faves - Murray, Safin, Djoko. It’s best when they can use the anger to fire them up - like when Djoko tossed his racquet yesterday and got back on track. Otherwise they need to focus!

Which Novak seems to have done in this second. He’s definitely seeing the ball better.

———–

Fedex,

I respect that you’re a loyal Fed fan, and a Rafa fan too, and of course you’re entitled to say whatever you want about Novak on these boards. However, it’d be nice if you used his real name once and a while! He is a pretty decent player after all.

I do admire Rafa tremendously for his undying focus on the court; he’s got to be one of the best tennis players at staying mentally engaged in every point that at least I’ve ever seen. It really works to his advantage, not only for his own sake, but because it puts mental pressure on his opponents, who know that Rafa will be focused on every single point.

My best game was the 6th game of the 2nd set. Djoko played at his best in those last two points of that game to take 2nd break.

Jane,
Looks like Djoko is awake now.

I am happy that Novak has taken this match to a third; early in the first set I thought it’d be a rout. Good on him for making a match of it.

Fed/Wawrinka have won the first set tiebreak against the Byran Bros. - that’s something. Roger must be feeling really determined now.

Djoko struggled in his first 3rd set service game; he’ll want to avoid all those long rallies with Rafa.

Guys, what u think, the result of 3rd set?

Rafa’s serve is vastly better; he’s winning some easy points off it in this match. This is going to help him do even better than he already has on hard courts.

Both tough and great player.
I guess 9 game to 7. Nadal win.

Looking at the 1st three games of the 3rd set, I continue to give Rafa some edge. Relatively speaking, the beginning of the 3rd set is resembling more the beginning of the 1st set than the 2nd set.

What I take back is my initial reading of the slow start of the match. Actually, it is turning out to be an intense match. Both are investing in everything they have. Rafa should be able to break any time soon. If it goes into the tie, Rafa will still continue to have advantage.

Wow wow 3 game all. Great Match

Could go either way but I give Djoko a slight edge.

Shital, No tie, it is not ATP games. need win over 2 games

Shital,

I agree - nice to see Novak giving his all here. But focus and fitness-wise, in this match, I give the edge to Rafa still as well.

Djoko hasn’t been able to get a break, even though, he’s been pushing. If he doesn’t get it soon, he’ll be tuckered out, play a tired service game, and Rafa will get the break and match.

Kevin,
Thanks. I am aware of it.

Rafa also has the advantage of serving first in this 3rd set, so Djoko is always trailing. He has to get a break and then hold to win it, whereas Rafa just has to get a break, which he might do here, at 15:30.

This should have been the gold medal match!

yeah, Djoko come to the net!

YY - I totally, 100% agree.

Yes!!! Nadal won!!!!

How could u miss the easy smash, Djoko?

How could Fed beat these 2 guys in U.S

Fed/Wiw beat Bryan in double

Congratulation to Rafa !
What a great match !
Djoko deserves credit for making it a great match. Thanks to Djoko. Nothing to be sad about, but that was not the way to lose (the last point).

Sad for Djoko - very actually; he played well, much better than I thought he would after the first set.

But I am happy for Rafa; I hope he can get the gold medal now!

That last point was totally crazy! Djoko really had it in his hands to take that point. Nadal made those amazing returns and Djoko… what a miss!

Talk about defence!

The way both played they should win their matches against gonzales and blake easily. Though I feel Blake should have made the final instead! Will that controversial point affect gonzales mind on sunday knowing he does not quite deserve to be there?

It’s weird how the silver medal is won by default (i.e., being guaranteed a medal just getting to that match) whereas the bronze medal match is, in a way, more intense, as it means going home with nothing as the loser. I think it would be good to give 2 bronzes to the guys eliminated from the gold medal match. Maybe I am being to soft, as tennis is straight up elimination - you lose, you’re gone. But the Olympics is something different…

Poor Djoko! He played a great match but in the end, he just missed the one point that really matters. He actually won more games than Rafa did, 14-13. What a sour note to end the match.

I said this from the very beginning that if anybody breaks the 20 year trend, it would be Rafa (and Djoko was there, too, but the better player deserves more). I have no doubt whatsoever that the Gold will be his to take.
Good luck for Rafa for the final and advance congratulation to him for the Olympic Gold!

Great match…Nadal really cranked up the intensity at the very end there. He was on cruise control from the second set all the way up to the last game of the match at which point he simply refused to let anything get by him. Still though its a tough way to have to beat Djokovic. Im still not quite sure how Nadal did it.

Mentally Nadal was up there! Djoko actually played better tennis from the end of the first set onwards but you really have to admire Nadal’s never say die attitude and fighting spirit.

Hope he wins the Gold on Sunday which gives him the possibility of being the second person to achieve a Golden Slam since Steffi Graf (if he also manages to win the USO and AO to hold all 5 titles at the same time).

“Will that controversial point affect gonzales mind on sunday knowing he does not quite deserve to be there?”

what an idiot, that point was at love-love of aservice game,.. rrright, that meaningless point was the reason for blake to choke 3 match points HAHA

Yes Shital, you were right; and I really really really want Rafa to win the gold now.

Don;t know if I even will watch the bronze medal match as I don’t want to see either guy lose.

Does everyone know that Fed/Wawrinka beat the Bryans!? They will play for the gold/silver medal, so Roger will get a medal after all - just not in singles.

I think the quality of tennis was quite high from both players..but I did notice that Nadal dumped quite a few more backhands low into the net than he normally does. About his backhand…its as flat, powerful and accurate when its on as anybody elses. So I think its a critical part of his game on hardcourts because it allows him to turn defense into offense quickly so he can then finish the point with a forehand winner.

Wow just saw that about Fed/Wawrinka…thats great news for Roger…once again..anything can happen at the Olympics..you just have to be in the right place at the right time when lightning strikes.

Rafa is the one has the chance to get the Olympic Gold and the 4 GS as Agassi

Rafa goes for the Gold Medal and then the U.S

Though I m big fan of Roger, I don’t think he could get close to Rafa soon.

This is going to sound stupid but Nadal is 15 matches from more or less matching Steffi Graf’s 1988 Golden Slam. If he wins vs. Gonzo, wins in NY and then wins in Melbourne in 09 … a long way off in one sense, but in another he’s the only one for 4 years that can even think of more or less matching the calendar year golden slam with a Rafa “Siglo de Oro” Slam.

Well, I said I wanted Rafa to win the Gold. Stage 1 is achieved. Obviously I have amazing Yuri Geller powers, so I’ll make sure Rafa wins, but only AFTER I’ve teleported half a dozen Hong Kong film starlets to my flat!

Vulcan,

” I did notice that Nadal dumped quite a few more backhands low into the net than he normally does.”

I think this is actually a “forced” error; Rafa did this a lot against Djoko in Cincinatti too, as Djoko hits so deep in the court to Rafa’s backhand, often when he has him on the run - just watch next time.

BTW, Vulcan, I don’t know if you watched the whole match, but I have to say, I am impressed with the way Djoko has been turning around bad starts, and correcting his negative body language in the last two matches. He did against Monfils, and he did when down two breaks against Rafa in the first set. If he could’ve got the second break back, he would’ve won it.

I still think Novak is just a touch better on hardcourts than Rafa, but they’re very, very close.

Fitness & focus - as I said earlier, those two things, I tihink, are going to make the difference, especially at slams.

Djoko, like Fed, will always be a better front runner; he will need to get quick leads in slams to beat Rafa. But theirs is an interesting rivalry that I enjoy watching.

Shital,

Blake and Novak have never met - what do you think? In a way they have similar styles, but I think (?) Novak moves better.

Another stupid question. If the Olympic Gold medalist wins the Grand Slam in another year before the next Olympics, does it make a Golden Slam cause he or she holds all 5 titles? Or if the Silver/Bronze medalist does it… does it count as a Silver or Bronze Slam? haha

Fed/WaW will against Aspelin/Johansson of Sweden and both players over 33.

Most likely fed/waw could have better chance to have a gold in double tomorrow

Vulcan,
I told you so. Fatigued Djoko is always prone to make more forehand errors. And he rushed a couple of critical times to throw long or wide or in the net. Rafa served well, stayed put, determined to return every shot thrown at him, and waited for chances to hit winners. That earned him the spot for the Gold now. I got what I wanted: A thrilling 3 setter match. It could have been better had it gone into the Pro-Set. I was hoping for it, but not a big deal.

A quick note: this is the first time Rafa and Djoko have ever played 3 setter on hard court in their now 7th meeting.

I think no one could like STEFFI GRAF to win all 4 GS and Olymipic in same year (1988)

Jane regarding Nadals backhand…could be that its forced..but the forced/unforced criteria that applies to other players may not be valid for Nadal because he is so ridiculously good at hitting that shot. Im talking about when hes stretched out wide and is hitting it in the backhand corner and is able to not only redirect it but hit with tons of pace crosscourt. Its gotta be due to his upper body strength but I dont think there is anybody on the planet that can hit that shot the way he does…its often his bread and butter - but if its not firing - danger Will Robinson.

Jane,
I like Blake, too, but Bronze will be Djoko’s in straight sets.

Ref: Djoko “will need to get quick leads in slams to beat Rafa.”
True, that’s what I think, too. This fits into my “quick note” above.
I can only hope they meet again at the US Open final. No other final will be as exciting as theirs from now on, imo.

Shital, I havent checked the stats but my qualitative impression was that it was pretty high quality stuff from Djokovic…he didnt seem fatigued. I dont think it would be realistic of him to think he could spool out winners the way he did in the first set in Cincy…there only one man who is EXPECTED to do that and his initials are RF. Anyway I got half the equation right with Gonzo still in a position to win the Gold. Mind you, Gonzo is no pushover…he is fearless and seems totally immune to the pressure of playing in the Olympics.

Awesome Fed/wawrinka in gold medal match and Nadal beats the cocky son of a gun. This was a fun day.

Too bad some one had to lose in the other semifinals. I like both gonzo/blake and the swedish and french teams. What classics they served up though.

So freaking awesome that Fed fashioned the tennis version of the redeem team! Allez Fedwrinka. You are on the podium boys!

Jane:

I am sorry but I dont see you making similar pleas to people who called Rafa a dope or consistently instigate fed-hatred. Let us leave it to the moderators to take care of things, shall we?

Shital - I hope you’re right on both counts - bronze & USO final. But both are up in the air, with the tennis gods.

Vulcan - thanks for your response; I think Rafa’s wicked b.hand has to be in part because he’s a natural righty.

Fedex,

I guess most of those who I don’t bother to plead to aren’t regulars, like you, but are sock puppets.

But I have defended Rafa many a time, and I even piped up against “Fed is afraid” when he first showed up here too, by asking him if he could actually comment on matches instead of castigating Fed repeatedly.

But okay - we can leave it to the moderators; I just thought I’d ask…

Wow! congratulations to Rafa for a spectecular win.

Djoko played his heart out. He was unstopable in the second set and part of third.Nothing Rafa could do.

Sorry Jane and all Djoko fans here. I am very happy for Rafa , but Djoko equally deserved to win. They are very close.

I am glad RAfa did not go away when Djoko was playing out-of-this-world tennis and managed to hold serve and give himself a chance to win.

This should have been the final.
******

Fed/Wawrinka will play for the gold medal tomorrow. Great to see Fed happy and hope he gets that gold. Bravo Federer for not going away ater losing his singles match.

Wow, the Swiss miss won something…in doubles. He can always become a doubles specialist and get some wins that way.

I am glad that Fed has switched to focus on doubles, his soon-to-be the only remaining territory. He may have a prospect of becoming No. 1 in doubles. As most top players (leaving aside a few) are older than him anyway, he will have age advantage. Perhaps, that’s a viable way of regaining No. 1 position. No. 1 is No. 1, after all, be it in singles or doubles.

Sean,
Ref: “Maybe Roger should stick to claycourt events, start playing Kitzbuhel, get back to Gstaad.”
And I agree with you that, if he sticks to it, Fed has a real shot of winning a couple of tournaments on clay, but he will have to be selective about them and make sure Rafa is not participating in those. Maybe, that will be enough to hang in there among the Top 3, 4, 5..10, 20. Who knows?

Good luck for Fed on clay and in doubles. Good luck especially for Olympic Gold in doubles. After all, a Gold is Gold, be it in doubles or singles. A Gold here should give him some confidence for making career in doubles.

A gold medal is a gold medal. Singles or doubles!

Go for it Fererinka!

Jane,
where do you get the post-match interviews?

Sean,
do you think they will show the medal matches on NBC or do we have to watch those tiny images on the computer on Sunday too?

Did anyone see Fed’s reaction after winning the match against bryan’s. It was Wavrinka lying on the ground and Fed looked to be praying over him.

Fedex,
I saw Jane’s plea. I guess I would ask the same. I am no Djoko fan, you know, but he played great and he lost. why the name calling?
There are a few on this board who like to take tennis to personal levels. Somehow I don’t see you in that mix.

zola, you can get post-match sports interviews at ASAP Sports, but they are usually only posted a day later - or certainly hours later. It’s a great source though.

Ok, Jane - Djokovic played a good match. There you go I said it.

Zola - done! you guys are going to reduce the hits on this blog if you dissuade people from name-calling. Most sites actually hire people to post provocative comments.

Peace guys.

Chinese and russian women playing their quaterfinal at 2a.m. It is like that crazy saturday at australian open where hewitt and bag-man finished their match at 4a.m!

Fedex!
you are great just like your man!
Hope he wins that gold. The same for Rafa!
******

btw,

USA channel will show the medal events for tennis on Saturday and Sunday

both days from 10 pm ( the day before) till 6:30 am next day ( it will be among other events of course!)

this is the link for TV coverage by nbc. you have to choose “tennis” in the sports field and the date.

http://www.nbcolympics.com/tv_and_online_listings

Jane,
thanks a lot.
I usually check ASAP, but I did not see the olympics one. Now I checked again and they are there. great!

Fedex - hallelujah. And peace.

Leave the name-calling to sock-puppets.

Jane,
I couldn’t agree more with your excellent 12:50 pm post.I have always maintained that Nole will be the better player on faster surfaces but it appears that the difference between him and Rafa is not as much as I’d like to imagine.I don’t know how the conditions(humidity,fatigue from yesterday’s efforts etc) affected him today but you are probably right that at the moment they are extremely close although that closeness is entirely due to Rafa’s superior physical and mental strength imho.In terms of hard court game,I still think Nole is the best player going around and under normal conditions,he brings much more to the court.Murray should join him sooner than later.
The first set is extremely crucial for both Fed and Nole when they are playing each other or against Rafa.All the nerves settle down if they win the first set and both-esp Fed- play their best tennis when they are relaxed and confident.I still think that the first set made all the difference in the Oz open sf as it did in the 2007 Montreal or US open finals.Obviously,Rafa can come back any time on clay but the first set against Fed and Nole could make all the difference in his matches against Fed or Nole on the faster surfaces primarily because of what it does to the other player’s confidence and nerves.
I am glad that Nole didn’t get too down after losing the first set because the straight sets ‘trend’ in his hard court matches with Rafa has been broken even though the final outcome(victor being the first set winner) remains the same.In fact this applies to all surfaces albeit with one or two exceptions.
I just checked the stats which point to a ridiculously high number of unforced errors(46v52) and few winners(13v18).I didn’t watch the match but the posts here don’t point to a bad match.I am convinced now that a lot of forced errors are being classified as UEs there in Beijing.It has been a trend every time I check the stats and the Fed-Blake match just took the cake.BTW,I am shocked that Nole hit a 250 kmph first serve and a 248 kmph second serve during this match!!!If he can do that on big points regularly,he’d be incredibly tough to beat.

Noel,
Ref: “Nole hit a 250 kmph [155.342 mph] first serve and a 248 kmph second serve during this match.”

Yes, that’s what Beijing Olympic tennis statistics of the match shows. Does that mean Djoko broke Roddick’s record of 249.4 kmph (155 miles)? Is not that the fastest serve ever?

Vulcan,

“Wow just saw that about Fed/Wawrinka…thats great news for Roger…once again..anything can happen at the Olympics..you just have to be in the right place at the right time when lightning strikes.”

I must admit I didn’t expect the top seeds and multiple slam champs to be beaten by a makeshift pair and that too so convincingly.In fact,I was doubtful if Fed-Stan would win their qf match against specialist doubles players who have done very well in the past.It is good to see Fed overcome his singles disappointment and not letting his doubles partner down.The singles defeat probably has spurred him on.I am glad that he is assured of at least a silver.An Olympic medal had looked jinxed until yesterday.

Shital,
Frankly, I don’t know what to make of it until I see something ‘official’ from the atp.However,you are right that this could be the new record because that Rod serve ‘is’/'was’ the fastest afaik. Even more difficult to believe is the second serve speed.That has got to be the fastest ever by some distance.At this rate,Pete’s status as the best ever second server is going to come under serious pressure……More likely to be some error esp with the second serve speed.I hope the atp/itf confirms it soon.

I watched that match and I didn’t see such serve. I think there was something wrong about the speed stats, because a Nadals ace was at 148 km/h officialy, but he served much better than that.

this is the link to Beijing stats: seems Rafa was the one with 250kph serve, not Djoko.

http://www.nbcolympics.com/tennis/resultsandschedules/rsc=TEM001202/index.html

Are these right? Then it is great news for Rafa!

Also the match is now on nbc.com website. Noel you can watch it on your computer:
http://www.nbcolympics.com/tennis/index.html

Jane/Shital,
Please don’t take offence because my question could be misconstrued in a way which i don’t mean at all.Is it true that you read the interviews only on ASAP sports?I could be totally mistaken but I have always had the feeling that you have access to some other site due to the way in which you post the players’ quotes here.ASAP is not that quick but you always seem to have read them before I ever have going by how early you are able to quote them in your posts.If it indeed is the case,I’d be very grateful if you could provide the link.Mind you,I am talking about transcripts and not the audio/video clips.

Zola,
My figures are from the Beijing Olympics official site as Shital has verified above.If these are for Rafa,it’d be even more unbelievable!In any case,it seems more likely to be some error either by the statistician or by the speed gun.

Noel,
I don’t read ASAP. I have never been there. You could have googled it up: A