Djokovic No Joke at US Open

Sean Randall –

A typo to note: you mean first Grand Slam “final” not semifinal.

The Sharapova is fantastic.

Good recovery for Djok in 1st set – once his serve and forehand were working, they were lethal, even for super-returner/runner Ferrer.

Zeg –

Did you notice the Djokers all in adidas now?

September 8th, 2007 at 1:02 pm

I have Direct TV Service. Why can’t I watch today’s US Open (Tennis)games? This is a scandal. Sorry.

September 8th, 2007 at 1:48 pm

One of the reasons Davy doesn’t beat Fed is that, like so many other players, he doesn’t BELIEVE he can do it:

In his own words:

“I feel like I’m a top 10 player. I play very well. But I’m not, you know, feeling I’m reach level to be No. 1, you know, to beat Federer or Nadal. You know, you need to be more strong. I need to be more physically strong because these guys play perfect, try to play perfect. That’s why he’s No. 1. You know, if you need to beat No. 1 you need to play also perfect. You need to get body, everything to play very well, just try to play every point good.”

September 8th, 2007 at 1:57 pm

In 2 hr. 10 min, Djoko wins in straight sets (6-4, 6-4, 6-3). Congratulations to him for making to the first GS final. Now, he is ready to widen the group of two. One is in; let’s hope the other gets in, too. I think he will give Fed a good run tomorrow, if Fed wins today, which everybody predicts he will.
I cannot wait to see Djoko’s firepower tomorrow in the electrified evening match at the Arthur Ashe.

September 8th, 2007 at 2:46 pm

Yes – even though Djok’s match not super-competitive today, in this particular situation, it’s good he got through quickly, given that he has his first ever G.S. final tommorrow – in all likelihood against Federer.

And speaking of Fed, Djok does imitate him after all, and he does it v.well – especially the hair toss. Here’s the You Tube link; you have to wait for it as he does a few other players first, but it’s worth the wait. Gotta love this guy –

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYA_7RUSarU

September 8th, 2007 at 3:01 pm

Sta je bre Ameri,jebe kevu Nole,A?

September 8th, 2007 at 3:14 pm

So, what’s it gonno be tomorrow – 3, 4, or 5 sets?

I think one of the two will show up a bit flat, and it will be 3 sets.

I think Fed’s not gonno be the flat one.

September 8th, 2007 at 5:56 pm

Well, Davydenko showed that Fed’s certainly breakable…

September 8th, 2007 at 5:59 pm

davydenko has the best record of breaking serves on the tour – I think this US open, he won more than 50% of the service games he faced in the first 5 matches. So he is always very tough to serve to. Especially today, in the windy conditions.

but remember, he also lost serve 9 times, with 25 break points against him!!! That’s incredible returning from fed.

But fed needs to play cleaner tomorrow. and serve better. And make it a grind, since djoke will never be able to win if the match goes into a 5th set.

September 8th, 2007 at 6:11 pm

NOLE JE NAJBOLJI!!!!!!!! SUTRA CE DA RAZBUCA FEDERERA!!!!!!!

September 8th, 2007 at 6:57 pm

Davydenko had not lost a set until today when he lost 3 in a row.
Fed wins tomorrow in 4 sets.

You guys forget to comment on the chances that both Moya and Ferrer had in the second set against Djoko and when Djoko has to go beyond 3 sets his trainer is called on duty as many times as the rules allow it.

September 8th, 2007 at 6:58 pm

and after federer wins tomorrow, he can imitate the most annoying serving tic on both the men’s and women’s tour – djokovic’s ridiculous ball bouncing.

September 8th, 2007 at 7:14 pm

And maybe if Djok wins (notice I say maybe – he’s obviously the underdog) he’ll do his hilarious impersonation of the untouchable one – umpteen hair tosses (well it is, reportedly, an $800 haircut), racquet twirling, ballet leaps, and all. lol

Ross –

You’re right about Davy’s serve – but Djok serves much better. He’ll be harder to break.

September 8th, 2007 at 7:56 pm

I predict Djokovic will upset Federer tommorrow in 5 sets. Djokovic played the cleaner semi-final match. Djokovic’s serve and over all power will be the difference. From the ground they are equal. Djokovic can hold serve much easier than Davydenko did. I just believe Djokovic is hungry and Federer may underestimate him even though he claims not to. If the conditions are windy and they are forecast to be then Federer is more prone to errors than Djokovic is. I hope it goes to a fifth set tie breaker. That would be thrilling. It would also be a great ending to another fantastic U.S Open.

September 8th, 2007 at 7:58 pm

max619 –

Don’t forget that Davy was up a break numerous times in both the 1st and 3rd sets, so if Fed was playing against a better server, he may well have been down 2 sets to 1.

Chances are chances – they don’t mean much unless they’re converted.

I am not going to say Djok “will” win, as it’s his first slam final, and he’s had some grueling matches here. But I will say I hope he does win and kudos to him for making the final. He’s a future champ no doubt about it.

September 8th, 2007 at 8:01 pm

People, lets face it, in the beginning of the third set Federer was playing Davydenko. He was practicing slice, so he can prepare his variety game against Djoko. He had break points (several 0-40) in all Davys serves in this set. When he feels that he could loose the set he played a step higher and prevailed. The guy plays only the necessary. He manipulates the game the way he wants to it.

Djoko will need to be perfect, without his usual ups and downs and “feeling bad” thing. As the game will not be under the sun, he may feel better, like the matches he did at night, and has a better chance.

But Fed will win in 4!

September 8th, 2007 at 9:03 pm

Both have great serves, but Djoko will have to be more focussed to match Fed’s consistency. Both can hit winners from mid court, though Fed will look for more opportunities to move inside to hit sharp angles. Fed is probably a bit better at making drop shots and playing the net. Both are great from the baseline. However, Djoko has better footwork to create unreturnable shots. Djoko’s topspin shots are more lethal than Fed’s. Djoko seems to be less prone to be emotionally affected by a couple of mis hits (though he expresses his frustration only for a few sec. and quickly gets over it). He will be steadier than Fed at tie breaks. If he gets occasions like Roddick did in those 2 sets, it will be Djoko who will come out as winner. Fed is built more solidly to play under humidity and heat, but, like Christopher said, wind can help Djoko. Yes, it will be a match between Djoko’s hunger for 1st slam vs. Fed’s ego as invincible God of tennis to build a unsurmountable monument.
At the end, honestly, I am not certain who will heist the trophy, though I would like to see a great tennis, preferably 5 setter final, with the 5th one going into tie break.

September 8th, 2007 at 10:07 pm

Roger never underestimates anyone in a grand slam final – and that will be Djokovic’s undoing.

And yes, Djokovic has a great serve…but so did Isner, Lopez, and Roddick.

Yes, Djokovic beat Roger in their last match but Roger has beaten Djokovic in all of their best-of-five set matches (Davis Cup and Aussie Open).

And…IF the match goes to 4 or 5 sets, judging from what I’ve seen lately on Djokovic’s ‘condition’…. he won’t last. Roger can make even the best run ragged.

I predict Roger will win tomorrow because as he says “I usually play my best in these grand slam finals”. We’ve never seen Djokovic play in a grand slam final before so I don’t know how he’s going to react. This is a new thing for him. I remember when he made his first master’s event final it wasn’t pretty.

September 9th, 2007 at 12:43 am

“If the conditions are windy and they are forecast to be then Federer is more prone to errors than Djokovic is.”

Christopher, what kind of bullsh*t is this?

What if the conditions are blustery, snowy, rainy or otherwise crappy? Who will be more prone to errors?

September 9th, 2007 at 11:02 am

Djokovic has a great game, but his personality has yet to mature. He is an attention seeker, for any price. let’s see how deep he can dig!

September 11th, 2007 at 10:46 am