Djokovic Blasts Nadal, Meets Monfils in Paris Final

I told you about Djokovic. He’s a great player with the mental drive to reach number one and I believe he will.

November 14th, 2009 at 6:26 pm

Well, the surface maybe favored him over Nadal a little here, but make no mistake, this was perhaps the single best performance Novak has ever showed! The guy simply couldn’t miss a ball today, and did right absolutely EVERYTHING from start to finish. Seems like that “Madrid Nadal semifinal curse” is finally broken…

And what a brave effort from Stepanek! That was quite possibly the single best S & V performance which I saw from (any) player since the retirement of a certain guy named Pete Sampras… Credit to Monfils, though, who kept his focus when it really mattered. Finally, “The Force” is in a major final!

November 14th, 2009 at 7:26 pm

Sean, this is a beautiful piece you together, covering pretty much all the bases. thank you.
and thanks to Dj, who sort of helped Fed today with his victory over rafa, preventing the Spaniard from closing in to reclaim No. 1, at least in paper.

yes, rafa summed it up how disastrously he was overwhelmed, “I’ve never played against Djokovic when he’s been at this level before.”

rafa, AO winner, Olympic Gold Medalist, and 5 times Master series winner, was forced to subtly inject a hard-court-is-not-my-surface excuse, “When Novak plays at that level it’s very difficult to play him, especially on a hard, fast court.”
Now, all of sudden Paris has become a fast court for today. last time i checked Paris was one of the slowest indoor surfaces.

rafa was so rattled today at one point, he went on to cuss and it was picked up by camera, “hijo de puta.”

be that as it may. nothing unusual. all players do that, once in a while. no biggie.

November 14th, 2009 at 8:24 pm

s/b 5 times Masters series winner= 5 times Master series winner on Hard

November 14th, 2009 at 8:58 pm

Novak played at high level but Rafa was a shadow, really he was in SF. by accident.As a Roger´s fan:
thanks to Novak, the gods seems to give Roger another chance to end the year as N1 and can´t but agree with them.Anyway Novak deserves to win.

November 14th, 2009 at 9:01 pm

With this defeat, Rafa is 945 points behind Roger. What are his chances to overtake the #1 spot in London? Mathematically it is still possible for him to do it without winning it. If Roger loses all 3 RR matches (unlikely) he would drop 200 points and if Rafa wins two matches and the S/F and loses the final, he would be 55 points ahead of Roger. If Roger wins one RR match, Rafa needs to win all three and the S/F. If Roger wins two RR matches, Rafa needs to win.

November 14th, 2009 at 9:08 pm

FedRafaFan Says, “With this defeat, Rafa is 945 points behind Roger.”
you are right in that, but Fed would not drop 200 points more because that 945 point difference has already taken off Fed’s 200 points. if you continue from here, you will have your math right.
otherwise, see mine here:

http://www.tennis-x.com/xblog/2009-11-14/2650.php#comment-107640

November 14th, 2009 at 9:44 pm

Finals Time Table

6:15 am (ET) Nesty-Zim vs. Cermak-Mertinak

9:00 am (ET) Djokovic vs. Monfils

November 14th, 2009 at 9:52 pm

Sean! You’re really a jinx! lol I know that you have always been a fan of Federer. So whenever Nadal is playing with other player. Then you would pick the other person to win. Then you embarrass yourself. So when you want to save yourself embarrassment, then you pick Nadal to be winner. Then the person who he plays against would wins! I think something is really wrong with Nadal. Nowadays, he always gets thumped in the semi or in the final. As for Federer, I don’t think that he could do very well in the Masters Cup. He would wins his matches, if Davydenko and Roddick are in his group. But if Roddick pulls out, they would replace him with Soderling. And that is going to favour Federer as well. If Gillies and Tsonga are in. Instead of Davydenko and Roddick. It would had been Federer’s nightmare.

November 15th, 2009 at 12:11 am

Thanks, i am it. I was hoping you’d respond. I wasn’t aware that the 945 point difference has taken taken off Fed’s 200 points. Great scenarios on the YEC points. It looks very likely that Roger will hold on to the #1 ranking as you are correct that the last 2 scenarios are unlikely.

November 15th, 2009 at 12:13 am

Am I right that if Novak wins tomorrow he will take over No. 2 in the rankings for the first time? If my math is right he will be, and in fact, he could finish the year no. 1. hard to believe but true.

November 15th, 2009 at 1:10 am

Interesting also to see that Rafa had absolutely no plan B. For such an experienced player I found that quite strange, but time and time again Djko opened up the court and pounded the ball behind him. I have seen Rafa change tactics in other matches, but not this one. Perhaps he just felt overwhelmed?
Hope crowd lifts Monfils and we have a match, otherwise as someone on other thread aid, give the trophy to Djko now!
sar: in case you didn’t see on other thread, GR8 re IW.

November 15th, 2009 at 3:32 am

Well, novak played incredibly well yesterday – i didnt see it live, but i did see it on playback – something is missing from rafa’s game. I know he is still not back to his best, he had the flashes of brilliance – but he seems reticent to me now, when he plays. It is almost as if he is ‘hoping’ for a mistake from his opponent before he decides to attack. The beauty of his game has always been his passion and aggression. He has lost the aggression he used to play with for EVERY POINT. He doesnt open his shoulders on his backhand anymore – he seems scared to do that – and this is what has happened. Novak was amazing. He has that full belief that he didnt used to have (all the problems earlier on in the year with coach falling out/newer, bigger racquet – all seem behind him.

Duro,

The one thing that struck me about novak is that he said “his performance is perfect”.

“There’s not much to say about today’s performance, except it was perfect,” said Djokovic.

I just want to say one point and this does relate to federer. If federer had ever said that about his own game, the attackers on TT, would have crucified him, calling him arrogant and then some.

I think it is fantastic that novak has belief in his game once more – I just wish that fans everywhere would accept that you can have that belief in your game without coming across as arrogant.

Novak was outstanding yesterday – a completely different player.

Now what is going to happen today? Will Monfils be too tired having played 3 sets? or will Novak’s 18 matches on the run take its toll? I think this is going to be a battle of wills – who wants it more?

November 15th, 2009 at 5:23 am

Nole won’t be number 2 tomorrow.

November 15th, 2009 at 6:19 am

and novak can´t be no 1

November 15th, 2009 at 6:36 am

“best player in tennis right now”? Give me a break. The guy was 3 conecutive match points down to the likes of Stepanek, set and a break to the likes of Wawrinka. Soderling choked on 0:40 to take control of the match as well.

He’s playing well while other top players are playing shit, and he’s having a lot of luck with draw, the weaker oposition choking big time against him, or just plain luck where the ball lands (Stepanek on match point missed a winner by a centimetre). He trashed Rafa before with the same result, when Rafa was playing better than he is now, so what’s the big deal? He simly enjoys playing Nadal on hard surfaces, Nadals game is ideal for him in those conditions and brings up the best in him. There is a reason why you never see him play like this against other players, no one else feeds him slow high bouncer to mid court all day long and has a weak serve to boot…no one who counts in tennis, anyway.

Lets not forget he needed 3 sets to beat the worst Federer has shown this year. You have to love the media how they can build up the hype over nothing, he’s beaten a horrible Fed who came from a long rest, and Nadal who almost lost to freaking Robredo.

He’s curently the one eyed man in the land of the blind, but normal service will be resumed in London, and of course next year…in slams particularly. Just don’t write “where has his form gone” articles when that happens, as nothing will have changed but oppostion waking up.

This could actualy be a bad sign for him…seems he’s currently starting to fill in the role of Nalbandian ans Safin, who couldn’t win anythiny big the whole year and then moped up the european indoors season when all other where thinking of the next season.

The furute belongs to Del Potro and Murray, Djokovic will continue to be the No3 waterboy. A slam might come his way if he gets lucky, but that’s about it.

Watch Murray take him apart in London, as he has the entire year.

November 15th, 2009 at 8:20 am

Nesty and Zims won!

November 15th, 2009 at 8:51 am

OK sonic if Djokovic wins another GS it will be pure luck! We’ll have to remember that.Too funny.
We’ll see what happens in London. This is the world series of tennis, the superbowl. It’s hard for anyone to win consecutive YEC. Am I right, Iam it?
Not bitter are you?

November 15th, 2009 at 8:54 am

Sonic,
had you chosen to contribute seriously, you would have tried to analyze why “other top players are playing shit.”
if you presume that No. 3 is a water boy, then there is nothing to discuss with you.
So much baseless negativism against Djokovic (or any player) neither makes you good tennis player, better person in life, or credible poster on this site.
as a Dj fan, i had to respond. sorry if i offended you, but i did get offended by your post.

November 15th, 2009 at 8:57 am

guys n gals: please note am still posting under name of “margot,” have not changed it to “sonic”!!! However, as a “murray maniac” lerve the prediction…

November 15th, 2009 at 8:58 am

Sar,
Congrats to you and your men, Nesty and Zim.

as for consecutive YEC, it is possible.
in the open era, 6 players have done it: Nasty, Borg, Lendl, McEnroe, Sampras, Hewitt, and Fed.

so i see Dj’s chances. he will be one of the contenders.

November 15th, 2009 at 9:05 am

margo, we know you are not sonic. you don’t have to be negative to be a Murray maniac. i don’t have problem with Murray songs. i like him enough. but one can also do so without trash talk. don’t you think?

November 15th, 2009 at 9:13 am

OK, the final has started. let’s enjoy the match.
Dj is serving. takes the 1st point in spectacular fashion.
Go Dj !

November 15th, 2009 at 9:14 am

it is not bad to start with a love game, despite 2 second serves. Dj rocks.

November 15th, 2009 at 9:16 am

Dj missed a couple of forehand in the 2nd game. or, else….

November 15th, 2009 at 9:19 am

another easy game for Dj, losing only 1 point so far. 2-1.

November 15th, 2009 at 9:21 am

where are the club members this morning?
Sean, are you going to show up soon?

November 15th, 2009 at 9:23 am

Dj played sloppy at the net, but he played great the next 2 points.
15-30.
Gael serves big. 30-30.
2nd serve.
clean ball striking from Dj.
1st break point.
2nd serve.
and Dj draws the 1st blood.
3-1 for Dj.

November 15th, 2009 at 9:27 am

65% 1st serve in, and only 1 UE, for Dj.
another love game to lead 4-1.

November 15th, 2009 at 9:28 am

first easy service game for Gael, losing only 1 point (as Dj’s backhand goes long), 2-4.

November 15th, 2009 at 9:33 am

Dj makes 1st double fault. 15-15.
2nd serve.
Dj’s FH looks wide. called out. but no, it clipped the line.
bad call. unlucky Dj. replay the point.
serves well.
30-15.
nice 2nd serve. 40-15.
Dj continues to attack Gael’s FH.
weak play at the net. 40-30.
2nd serve.
nice forehand.
5-2.

November 15th, 2009 at 9:38 am

Dj is steamrolling Gael. takes 1st 2 points by playing really smart. 0-30.
Gael serves well in next 3.
40-30.
2nd serve.
Gael shanks FH in the net.
Deuce.
Gael hits a big FH. Game point 1.
Dj replies with his own. Deuce.
amazing BH down the line from Dj.
Break point for Dj.
2nd serve.
Dj throws an easy BH long on a weak serve.
Deuce.
Gael throws BH long.
2nd BP for Dj.
Gael double faults and gets broken and loses the set. 2-6.
this allows Dj to serve first again.

November 15th, 2009 at 9:46 am

Monfils..why oh why..wake up !

November 15th, 2009 at 9:47 am

j. and Duro, where are you folks? you need to check in, please.

November 15th, 2009 at 9:47 am

Djo-ko-vic No1-vak, clap-clap clap clap-clap!

I am it, I owe you an answer, didn’t forget…

Later.

November 15th, 2009 at 9:48 am

Dj starts the 2nd set in the same manner. a love game. 1-0.

November 15th, 2009 at 9:49 am

Gael begins with a big wide serve. 15-0.
misses the next. 15-15.
2nd serve.
Gael throws BH in the net after a short rally.
15-30.
Gael misses one easy one at the net.
15-40.

Big serve from Gael.
30-40.
2nd serve.
Dj throws an easy BH wide.
Deuce.
2nd serve.
a long rally. Gael’s FH goes long.
3rd BP for Dj.
2nd serve.
brilliant passing shot, after a rally, earns Dj 1st break in the 2nd set.

November 15th, 2009 at 9:55 am

Dj starts the 3rd game fine, but shanks FH in the net.
15-15.
beautiful FH in the corner. 1-2 punch.
30-15.
another FH in the other corner.
40-15.
Dj rips beautiful FH.
he wins 17 of last 22 points and leads 3-1.

November 15th, 2009 at 9:58 am

j., looks like at the end, i may actually have a crystal ball to see through this tournament.

November 15th, 2009 at 10:00 am

WOW just WOW Djoko..on fire

November 15th, 2009 at 10:02 am

There you go La Monf..that game was very important. Great job

November 15th, 2009 at 10:03 am

Hi guys – I am watching; just hold Novak… : )

SAR- NESTY + ZIMS!!! Woot!

November 15th, 2009 at 10:03 am

Gael is finally awake. wins 3 points in a row. 40-0. the crowd goes frenzy.
misses the Game point.
40-15.
2nd serve.
Dj unloads big FH.
40-30.
2nd serve.
Dj lobs beautifully.
Deuce, suddenly.
big serve. 4th Game point for Gael.
Gael throws BH wild.
Deuce.
nice wide angle serve from Gael.
5th Game point.
Down the T serve.
Gael holds. 1-3.

November 15th, 2009 at 10:04 am

C’moon La Monf

November 15th, 2009 at 10:07 am

YEAAAAAAAAAH YES la monf

November 15th, 2009 at 10:08 am

Dj wins the 1st pt easy.
nice FH in the corner from Dj.
30-0.
Dj throws 1 wild FH in the air.
30-15.
2nd serve.
misses an easy volley at the net.
gotta say Gael played this point great.
30-30.
2nd serve.
Dj misses FH wide, trying to go for too much. a big mistake. big chance for Gael.
30-40.
misses another at the net, after a really long rally.
Gael is back into the match. 2-3.

November 15th, 2009 at 10:09 am

Djokovic is playing THE BEST TENNIS IN THE WORLD right now :D Kudos to Rafa, hes the only one u have to mention.

Monfils will be lucky if he takes one set in this match…

November 15th, 2009 at 10:09 am

At least he is making a match out of it…c’mon build that momentum..la monf

November 15th, 2009 at 10:10 am

Alleeeez the crowd is going nuts

November 15th, 2009 at 10:11 am

Um…I said just HOLD Novak, sheesh.

November 15th, 2009 at 10:11 am

oh no. monfils is back in? not good for nolee

November 15th, 2009 at 10:12 am

Dj should have pulled the triggered a couple seconds early in that last game, aside from handling that volley. this gives Gael a life.
suddenly a tricky situation.
Gael wins 3 points in a row.
40-0.
with 8 consecutive points from Gael. and the wind is suddenly blowing in his direction.

November 15th, 2009 at 10:13 am

Dj must regain the momentum quickly, or else…

November 15th, 2009 at 10:14 am

Alleeeeez..c’moon man

November 15th, 2009 at 10:17 am

Yes, Djoko is playing longer points and he’s not looking to hit winners and end them. He should “pull the trigger” sooner.

November 15th, 2009 at 10:18 am

So lucky on the break point..almost out

November 15th, 2009 at 10:20 am

great hold by Djoko…was a tense game

November 15th, 2009 at 10:21 am

Dj has stated missing more. not a good sign.

he cannot get his 1st serve in.
he just threw FH wide by miles.
Deuce.

Good serve down the T.
Game point 2.
lucky Gael. net chord helps.
Deuce.
Dj throws another FH long. his FH was weapon but is now a liability suddenly.

Dj faces BP.

Dj plays next point smart.
Deuce.
serves well and nice smash.
Game point 3.
Great hold here. 4-3.

November 15th, 2009 at 10:21 am

YES..great hold by Monfils

November 15th, 2009 at 10:27 am

Dj has to play like in the 1st set and find a way to break in next 2 games.
Gael serves big, 2 in a row.
30-0.
2nd serve.
double fault.
30-15.
2nd serve.
Gael throws BH in the net after another long rally.
30-30.
Dj’s net play was weak and Gael lobs.
40-30.
Gael throws long.
deuce.
Dj has been really sloppy at the net. misses another.
Game point for Gael.
2nd serve.
Dj has failed to volley, time and again, he cannot return the low balls at the net.
Gael holds. 4-4.

November 15th, 2009 at 10:29 am

appreciating the commentary to go along w/ often frozen livescore.

November 15th, 2009 at 10:31 am

Dj ‘s FH has become disaster. throws an easy one wide.
0-15.
Gael makes FH error.
15-15.
Good serve. 1-2 punch.
30-15.

Dj throws a BH wide. challenges the call but fails.
30-30.
2nd serve. danger is looming.
double fault. disaster.
30-40.
hold, please.
Gael throws BH long on Dj’s short wide angle return.
Deuce.
plays smart at the net.
Game point. serves nice.
Gael cannot return.
Holds. 5-4.

November 15th, 2009 at 10:34 am

Sonic,

why do you say that novak ‘if lucky’ will win another slam? There is no such thing as ‘luck’. You MAKE your own ‘luck’ in life. I am the biggest and I mean biggest fan there is out there of THE FED. Incredible man, player, person, I just love him. BUT Novak these last few months has been playing awesome tennis. I mean awesome. Forget the media. They are your best friend and your worst enemy depending on whether you win or lose. Be a bit more respectful to Novak.

Monfils always take a while to wake up in the first set – he is a vulnerable player – too much reliance on the crowd to get him through matches.

Novak, once he is in his zone, will come through this match –

good luck to both players.

November 15th, 2009 at 10:34 am

sonic,

I may be mistaken, but I think by “best player in tennis right now” Sean simply meant playing the best, i.e., winning the most. And certainly Djoko’s results bear that out. He has been playing well enough.

I disagree that Fed’s worst performance of the year was in Basel. Look at the stats for the match. I think he played worse early in the year, post-USO, especially at IW and Miami. And I’ll bet he’d say the same thing. He may’ve been rusty at Basel, though he had a few rounds to work his way into a decent form.

Anyhow,I don’t know whether the future will be Murray, JMDP, or Djoko – or most realistically, and hopefully to me, all of them – but I don’t think a player who gets to number 3 is a “waterboy”

November 15th, 2009 at 10:34 am

*post-USO should be post-AO @10:34

November 15th, 2009 at 10:35 am

moment of judgment has arrived.
Dj must break to avoid tie.

November 15th, 2009 at 10:36 am

I am it, not only are you a brilliant mathmatician but you should seriously consider sports journalist/commentator. I’d vote for you!

November 15th, 2009 at 10:36 am

The crowd efiniting want another set. It’s in the ‘offing’ unless novak gets a grip! tie breaker?

November 15th, 2009 at 10:37 am

Monfils..can you make another 3 sets match here…yes Allez good hold…c’moon you can do this.

November 15th, 2009 at 10:38 am

meant to say ‘definitely’. oops –

November 15th, 2009 at 10:38 am

Dj throws an easy BH in the net.
15-0 for Gael.
Gael plays next point nice.
30-0.
2nd serve.
Dj hits a nice FH in the corner.
30-15.
Gael serves big. Dj fails to return.
serves again big and holds easily.
5-5.

November 15th, 2009 at 10:38 am

Novak is definitely swinging the racquet in a tired way. He needs to get back into his zone!

I think monfils takes the set.

November 15th, 2009 at 10:39 am

Novak! wake up!

November 15th, 2009 at 10:40 am

i am it, more correctly, Djoko needs to hold to get a tiebreaker!

November 15th, 2009 at 10:41 am

contador, my scoreboard is freezing up too, but I am supplementing it with streaming. Monfils just broke Djoko and will serve for the second set.

November 15th, 2009 at 10:44 am

Alleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeez..we go nuts. been there..where are you ? can we hold here now..c’moon La Monf

November 15th, 2009 at 10:44 am

Dj starts with 2nd serve. bad.
again stumbles at the net. cannot get the ball back in.
0-15.
big down the T serve.
15-15.
another good serve.
30-15.
Dj throws FH long after a rally.
30-30.
another easy FH wide. Disaster.
faces break point 30-40.

Hold, please.

2nd serve. not a good sign.
Nice corner to corner, BH and FH.
Deuce.
Gael returns right to Dj’s feet.
Dj throws FH in the net. faces 2nd BP.

2nd serve. my heart is beating.
Gael hits winner and breaks and leads 6-5.
i am disappointed.

November 15th, 2009 at 10:45 am

i will discontinue my commentary from here on, except at important moments.

November 15th, 2009 at 10:47 am

Djok is making a lot of errors now. This is not a good sign for him.

November 15th, 2009 at 10:48 am

Alleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezzzzzz….we are going the distance

November 15th, 2009 at 10:49 am

Djoko is missing a lot of short balls. Seems Gael is returning this kind of balls to bait Djoko into the net. He missed a bunch of volleys also.

November 15th, 2009 at 10:49 am

:) :) :) :) :))))))) :))))
Kimmiiii!!!

Win or lose, a very good effort.
Allez!!

November 15th, 2009 at 10:50 am

the question in the 3rd set is which Dj will show up: is it the Dj of the 1st set or the 2nd?

hopefully, the 1st set.
it is all a mental thing from here on.

November 15th, 2009 at 10:52 am

I am so glad la monf made the match out of this. He is really growing..Novak was all over him in the beginning but he kept his cool. And that serve for the set in the second set was brilliant..great concentartion not waivering. Great work La monf

November 15th, 2009 at 10:53 am

jane -i have sound now but no picture ….channelsurfing.net

the crowd is deafening! has to have an effect on nolee. wow

oh, this is gonna be tough now.

November 15th, 2009 at 10:55 am

oh noooo..we are made to shut up again

November 15th, 2009 at 10:59 am

brilliant point by novak

November 15th, 2009 at 11:01 am

contador, I have picture as well; you could try atdhe.net?

But yes, it will be tough to win this, with Monfils inspired and with momentum on his side. We need to keep our fingers crossed that Novak will dig deep.

He’s got the break – on a brilliant point by both of them. But Djok needs to hold and he had some trouble last set.

November 15th, 2009 at 11:03 am

NOVAK TWO SETS UP IN THE THIRD SET
15:0 on his serve.

Both players tired. Will be a battle of wills! the last point was awesome from both players!

November 15th, 2009 at 11:03 am

Dj gets triple BP.
blocks serve long.
2nd serve.
misses again at the net.

disaster. i cannot believe it.

Brilliant, finally playing a drop slice.
the long rally, 43 shots, took half life out of me.

good start. 2-0. hold here.

November 15th, 2009 at 11:03 am

drop shots are very clever right now from nole

November 15th, 2009 at 11:03 am

oops…meant to say 2 games up in the third set,

15:15 on novak’s serve!

I am it! you are much better at this than me!

both players tired.

November 15th, 2009 at 11:04 am

yes, a very tense rally….quite exciting…tennis entertainment at its best. Monfils should now be tired after long rallies.

November 15th, 2009 at 11:04 am

Alleeeeez La monf breaks back

November 15th, 2009 at 11:08 am

and Dj gets broken. what a disaster !

November 15th, 2009 at 11:08 am

Allez! We strike back. What tension! But Djoko is still the more experienced one & been in situations more. Hmmm, mind games here.

November 15th, 2009 at 11:09 am

Djok has to cut down on the doubles. If he hadn’t’ve given that bp to Gael, he might’ve held. Sigh. They do both look tired, and I think right now Monfils looks a little more inspired.

November 15th, 2009 at 11:10 am

like Koenig said, this break Gael got here could be psychologically detrimental to Dj.

i hope not.
all Dj needs to do is keep his cool.

November 15th, 2009 at 11:11 am

both guys body language – they are on their
knees! novak needs to continue attacking, aggressive tennis – this will be the deciding factor!

November 15th, 2009 at 11:11 am

La monf is getting broken again here…wake up

November 15th, 2009 at 11:12 am

I think Djok’s been going crosscourt a bit too much in this match.

November 15th, 2009 at 11:12 am

monfils is down to 33% only on his first serves – this doesnt bode well for him.

November 15th, 2009 at 11:13 am

DISASTAR..what was that La monf…been there..we are lacking experience, you are spot on.

November 15th, 2009 at 11:14 am

Oh, Monfils handed the double back. They’re even. lol.

Now HOLD Djok.

November 15th, 2009 at 11:14 am

Dj must break back right away to deflect any momentum Gael may have gotten out of that break.
0-30 gives 50% chance.
but Dj throws an easy FH long.
15-30.
2nd serve. double fault.
Dj gets 2 BP and should convert one.
2nd serve. great chance.
double fault gifts Dj a free break
Dj leads 3-1. and serving for 4-1 lead.

November 15th, 2009 at 11:14 am

Brought down on our knees by unforgivable double faults. Dkoko gifted a game. Once more, we trail.

November 15th, 2009 at 11:14 am

Dj starts well taking 1st 3 points, nice drop followed by semi-passing.
40-0.
2nd serve.
Gael throws FH wide
Dj holds and leads 4-1.

November 15th, 2009 at 11:17 am

Djoko is on his way to the trophy..Congrats Djoko fans..but I am happy we had the match.

Koenig says “gael lacks mental maturity”

November 15th, 2009 at 11:17 am

I am it! I love you man!

This is novak’s to lose.

November 15th, 2009 at 11:19 am

if Dj breaks 1 more time, i will be relieved of the tension and stress.

November 15th, 2009 at 11:19 am

It’s only one break, so I am hoping and waiting. Fingers and toes crossed.

November 15th, 2009 at 11:19 am

Gael serves big, 2 in a row, but double faults in the 3rd serve.
30-15.
2nd serve.
another double fault.
30-30.
Aces down the T.
40-30.
Gael serves another big. gets out of trouble.
2-4.

November 15th, 2009 at 11:21 am

Round 15! Awesome point for mon fils! counter punch after counter punch!

November 15th, 2009 at 11:23 am

Ugh love-30 another break of serve? Come On Djoko!

November 15th, 2009 at 11:24 am

this is nail biting guys!

November 15th, 2009 at 11:27 am

Ah another double!!! I can’t stand this. Ugly.

November 15th, 2009 at 11:28 am

been there..miraculously we are back in this match

November 15th, 2009 at 11:28 am

Dj throws FH in the net, hesitant thinking it would go out.
Gael played great rally, though.
0-15.
Dj throws an easy BH wide, just overplayed. disaster.
0-30.
2nd serve. danger.
Gael throws long after an intense rally.
15-30.
serves wide angle, a big one.
30-30.
misses easy forehand by inches.
what a disaster to face BP at this critical moment !
2nd serve.
double fault gifts back break. what a way to melt down ! disappointing !
4-3.

November 15th, 2009 at 11:29 am

Djoko gifts us a double fault…we’ll take it. Hope we hold. Monfil’s arms are tired, can no longer serve consistently…hence the many double faults…same to Djoko, but to a less extent.

November 15th, 2009 at 11:30 am

i am out until the match is over. i cannot bear the heart beat and pain.

November 15th, 2009 at 11:31 am

Djok has blown 3 leads. Ugh.

November 15th, 2009 at 11:32 am

Monfila..one more pleeease..hold

November 15th, 2009 at 11:32 am

thxs jane; tried that one first. it’s my computer. must get it working befor YEC, since espn360 is not covering.

but now that i can hear the crowd, it’s easy to understand the difficulty. true test here…what’s novak made of? the swiss were buttoned up compared to this… this crowd is demanding monfils win in bercy.

allezzzzzz, noleeeee!! c’mon!

November 15th, 2009 at 11:35 am

FOUR more points for Djoko..crunch time now. Lets see what La monf is made off..needs to hold here.

November 15th, 2009 at 11:37 am

La monf shows the heart…

November 15th, 2009 at 11:42 am

please La monf hold..this match deserves the tiebreak

November 15th, 2009 at 11:44 am

YES monfils…NOW the BIG MOMENT

November 15th, 2009 at 11:48 am

OMG 3rd set tiebreak. Brutal.

November 15th, 2009 at 11:48 am

Kimmi, by some miracle, we are still in the match. 6-6. Tiebreaaaak. Win or lose, we hold our head up high. Allez!!

November 15th, 2009 at 11:49 am

Well, whichever one wins deserves to win. Credit to Monfils for fighting back. He lived up to his word that he was prepared to “die on the court” lol. Meanwhile Djoko has drop his level and must be getting a little road weary now. Disappointing for him to say the least, and for me. : (

November 15th, 2009 at 11:50 am

may the best man win here.

let’s go nolee!

dear god! how can he pull it off….2-2

November 15th, 2009 at 11:52 am

Monfils made important error here…will this be enough for djoko

November 15th, 2009 at 11:53 am

Great rally..djoko shows the heart

November 15th, 2009 at 11:55 am

Djoko three match point

November 15th, 2009 at 11:57 am

AND double fault give the 1st MS title of the year..dissapointing for monfils but Congrats to Djoko and his fans — he is very happy

November 15th, 2009 at 11:58 am

My hands are all clammy; it’s tough to type. YAHOOOOOOOO!!!! DJOKOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Sad for Monfils, but he showed so much heart. Good for him.

November 15th, 2009 at 11:59 am

hats off to novak djokovic!

yessssssss! he got it!

nolee

November 15th, 2009 at 12:01 pm

Ultimately, we are slain. But what a fight La Monf put…sets 2 & 3 worthy of a GS final performance. Allez!! Kimmi, there’ll be more next yr. He shocked Djoko into some terrible body language after Djoko stream-rolled him in that 1st set. Hopefully, he’s grown more from this, if just mentally. Hopefully next yr, we don’t see excessive melt-downs. Next yr, Tsonga vs Monfils Bercy finals. Watch this space! lol

————————————————–
Big congrats to Djoko….finally a masters win!

November 15th, 2009 at 12:02 pm

Gosh, i don’t think i ever sweated this much in a while.
my day would have been ruined had Dj lost today.

Congrats to Dj and his all true fans who kept faith in him. Kudos to Gael for making a great match.

i got my prediction right, but that was a tough one.

j., Duro, and Sar, i need some hugs. we did it at the end. wonderful day !

November 15th, 2009 at 12:02 pm

Guys!

A great match! Really enjoyed this!

Well done to all novak fans! Mon fils put up a great fight!

I know the YEC next week (and I have tickets!!!), but I am soooo looking forward to the AO!

Duro,

you are nowhere to be found!!!!! enjoy the moment!

November 15th, 2009 at 12:04 pm

virtual hugs to j., Duro, and Sar. we deserved this one big time.

November 15th, 2009 at 12:04 pm

Wow! That was a bit of a roller coaster to say the least. Too many free gifts from Gael in the end. Well done to Djko, I think his experience prevailed as he took control of the tie break.

November 15th, 2009 at 12:09 pm

Lets hope this is a turning point for La monf..he never take a top player this close before..he has always known to give up but today.

WOW..did you guys hear his speach ?..He thanks novak for pushing him to the wire and that he was able to respond…he believe he can do it..love the guy and wish him all the best next year.

November 15th, 2009 at 12:10 pm

Virtual hugs back, i am it – and also to Duro and Sar! Nole fought an inspired Monfils on his home ground. Tough. He was looking weary but in the tiebreak he pulled it up, and his experience shone through. Finally, as been there says, a Master Series shield this year : –)))))

Allez Allez – good, if incredibly tense, final.

November 15th, 2009 at 12:11 pm

PS One commentator said Nestor has won every doubles tournament he’s entered. That’s just incredible!

November 15th, 2009 at 12:12 pm

oh, gael is such a sweetheart. listening to his runner-up speech.

gotta love him! next year, maybe, maybe
******************

not quite as fluent in french as federer, is novak. but what a champ!

thanks, fellow tennis addicts! see ya for YEC !

November 15th, 2009 at 12:14 pm

Another PS. Believe Monfils now gets top 10 spot which is gr8 for him and one above Tsonga. Also he’s only 23, I thought he was older.

November 15th, 2009 at 12:15 pm

Djoko is trying out his new French; he is studying French right now. He said that many people speak French in Monte Carlo, where he lives, so he wants to speak it fluently. He also speaks German and Italian.

Monfils pushed Fed at the French Open in 2008, Kimmi; it was really close. There is no doubt that Monfils could break through. I hope he can; he is an exciting guy to watch.

November 15th, 2009 at 12:16 pm

Jane, I remember the RG 08, was close but not to the wire..it was 4 sets only..But today..it was nail biting..great match. Yes contador can’t wait for YEC and hope Fed and Murray does well there.

November 15th, 2009 at 12:20 pm

margot – yes this is FABULOUS for Nestor. What a career he has had. He’s won everything, literally, even the golden slam. Fantastic for a Canadian player (I know he was born in Serbia Duro :)).

Also fabulous if this brings Monfils into the top ten; I think he’s been there before. I remember once when Safin practiced with Monfils Safin said to him: “why aren’t you one of the top guys in the world? You have all the shots!” Well, maybe he is beginning to settle.

November 15th, 2009 at 12:20 pm

Kimmi, I know what you mean, but this was best of 3; that was best of 5. So different. The fourth set went 7-5. Anyhow, I am just pointing it out because I think Monfils’ potential has been evident for a long time. Maybe he can maximize it in 2010. It’d be lovely to see a French player win at Roland Garros.

November 15th, 2009 at 12:22 pm

Hi jane: that was a bit of a cliff hanger wasn’t it? Again Gael has a new coach who is trying to steady him, without taking away the flair. I think he’s gr8!
I’ve seen Nestor play doubles at Roland Garros. Really entertaining.

November 15th, 2009 at 12:25 pm

Thank you, people. I don’t feel very well right now, so I’ll post when better. Maxi, thanks. I left you a message last night in the other thread, the one prior to this one.

Jane, Sar, i am it, thank you very much. Congratulations to you too.

We have the best tennis player in the world right now to root for.

Alleeeez allez allez alleeeez, Noleeee, Noleeee…

November 15th, 2009 at 12:25 pm

Kimmi, a very lovely speech indeed..I think I have a drop or two of a tear forming at his words to Roger Rashid (coach) and his family. He’s thanked everyone & everything…including the balls & racquets, lol – just kidding. This finals performance in France is bigger to him than any of his previous 250championship trophies….both sentimentally & points-wise. Well done La Monf!

True, he needs to play the big boys more consistently to gauge what he can truly achieve. Same to other lower ranked players….look at what that win against Rafa @ FO has done to Soderling’s mentality, Cilic over Murray at USO means that Cilic’s now a true contender for trophies….I’ll wait & see if Benneteau can click & rise in ranking next yr after dismissing the Fed. Sometimes a spark is all that’s needed to make all that underlying talent ooze.

———————————————————————–

How are you all tennis fanatics going to survive a whole week without watching some competition? Next sunday is way too far! Maybe I hit the gym after spending too many hours sitted watching tennis. :)

November 15th, 2009 at 12:29 pm

margot – yes, a little too tense. I am just happy Djoko got a MS title this year, but I do like la Monf; he is great!

So for the World Tour Finals, you have your tickets, yes? Will you be going each day? Or just to the semis or finals or something? How does it work?

——————-
Duro – get better. Be happy, Allez Nole!

November 15th, 2009 at 12:30 pm

Monfils in that tie-break was the saddest thing i’ve seen since Coria. So tight all he could do is push the ball back tamely, dropping at the service line. And the drop shot/slice attempt at 5-3? Good lord.

Anyway my point about Djokovic proven, good player but not champion material. Still, somone needs to shine while the best are in off-mode, so why not him. If only he’d grow some balls, stop trying to suck up to the crowds so desparately, maybe i’d strat to like him.

November 15th, 2009 at 12:32 pm

been there says: How are you all tennis fanatics going to survive a whole week without watching some competition? Next sunday is way too far! Maybe I hit the gym after spending too many hours sitted watching tennis. :)”

ha ha ha We have to start getting used to it, we are going for the whole months without it…I agree, hitting the gym should be an option.

November 15th, 2009 at 12:35 pm

jane: yes, am off to YEC, for two days, Thursday and Friday. There are two sessions each day. Am going to see if any returns for the weekend because unfortunately the ATP website screwed up my application for the semis and final and they were sold out very quickly, but honestly, am not that bothered who I see, as long as good matches.
Does anyone know, do you see two matches per session?

November 15th, 2009 at 12:36 pm

sonic, He is the champion today; he won. And he’s won a grand slam. You’re being just a little too harsh. Don’t you recall how he played during the clay season too? Just awesomely. Only Nadal could stop him, and on a couple of occasions, just barely that.

November 15th, 2009 at 12:37 pm

I just got out of bed, LOL. I had to lie there pounding the bed screaming break. break. break. while watching this ugly match. In the end it was a much needed win for Novak to bag his first MS of the year. And in Paris where the homeboy was playing. That’s a hard one to get in my opinion. Now I happen to like Gael and this will please him I’m sure to be in a final like this. Shows how working hard with Roger Rasheed has helped his game. He now has the experience of a MS final third set tie break. He’ll learn from this.
I was almost more nervous for Nesty and really wanted him to become the best. Even if Bryans get the IW trophy for the set they still don’t have the gold medal. Maybe 2012 for them.
HUGS to all.

November 15th, 2009 at 12:40 pm

margot, that’s great. I hope you get to see Murray play! He really has his sights set on the championship, I think. If he won at home, people would go mad. He has to be considered one of the favorites. Him, Fed and Djok. I would include Rafa too, only I am not sure. He is fighter extraordinare, so you can never count Nadal out. I don’t know what to think about JMDP or Roddick as both are injured, so they may pull out, in which case Sod and Tsong would play? I have to think Djok must be getting a bit worn out, with two back to back titles & beating both Fed and Rafa along the way. Anyhow, like you say, I hope you get to see good matches, and maybe you’ll see grendel, with your blankets and hot chocolate. ; )

November 15th, 2009 at 12:42 pm

Margot: tennistv have the schedule.

Can’t copy and paste: but they say two single matches and two doubled matches per day except sunday only one single final and 1 doubles final

November 15th, 2009 at 12:42 pm

Sonic, no way was Djokovic sucking up to Paris crowd. What were you watching?

Jane, sonic must have sour grapes over something.

November 15th, 2009 at 12:44 pm

sonic is just blabbering gibberish, trying to provoke, get some attention, and party-poop. he’s got no positive things to talk about.
a baggage non-information par excellence and a lot of utterly baseless negativism !
so, i’d just avoid a troll, denying any recognition by not responding to his nonsense. my last one.

November 15th, 2009 at 12:46 pm

Morgot: here the schedule again from ATP website

Schedule of Events

GROUP STAGES AND SEMI-FINALS (22-28 November, 2009)

Afternoon Session
12:30pm – Doubles match starts
Not before 2:15pm – Singles match starts

Evening Session
7pm – Doubles match starts
Not before 8:45pm – Singles match starts

FINAL (29 November, 2009)
12:30pm – Doubles match starts
Not before 2:30pm – Singles match starts

November 15th, 2009 at 12:50 pm

kimmi: Thanks so much. This is a first for London so I hope it’s a huge success. Tennis is not a popular sport in the UK and we could do with an ATP 1000!
jane: it would be lovely to see Andy but of course if he lost I’d make a public spectacle of myself by sobbing into my Horlicks!
Yes, I believe Tsongs and Soderling might play, think they’re coming to London just in case.
However, have now just heard Andy has some kind of a groin strain. AAAHHH!

November 15th, 2009 at 12:50 pm

Kimmi, do you know if the draw is out?

November 15th, 2009 at 12:51 pm

j., i don’t think delPo will not pull out of the YEC, though he may or may not win any match. i am expecting him to win at least 1 and will be fully content with him if he improves on last year’s result, with 2 wins. so, slow down, please.

November 15th, 2009 at 12:52 pm

s/b i don’t think delPo will not pull out = i don’t think delPo will pull out

November 15th, 2009 at 12:52 pm

Jane..no I don’t. It will be too early for draw to come out now me think. Probably thursday or friday.

November 15th, 2009 at 12:54 pm

Sonic is a poster named jiraiiya aka ajdevise and also happens to be Croatian who posts on many forums. People just ignore him. He still is hurting from the Cilic loss and the Croats have not recaptured their “glory” since Goran. hehe

November 15th, 2009 at 12:55 pm

i am it, okay, am not meaning to upset. I thought I had read somewhere that there was the possibility he might not play after he retired from the Steps match with the ab strain. I hope he does play, and if he’s at his best, surely, he’s another fave. : )

November 15th, 2009 at 12:55 pm

jane

Awesome on clay? Agains whoom? He lost 3 times to 50% Nadal. Make no mistake about it, Nadal was playing horrible in 3 of those matches, and the whole clay season…by his standards. Was being crushed by Fed untill Roger went on one of his walkabouts. So all he’s proven is he’s a waterboy that can’t win anything anymore unless he gets lucky like today.

Thomas Johansson won a slam as well, but he’s hardly a champion. Right time at the right place. Novak is ofcourse much more than Thomas, but not champion material. His mind is by far the weakest of the current top 5.

sar,

The way he wanted to make love to Monfils at the net…awful. He always does that crap when playing a home player.

November 15th, 2009 at 12:55 pm

Okay, thanks Kimmi. I guess those little gold and red groups can be important to the outcome, so I look forward to hearing how they shake down. Who do you want to win the WTF? Fed or Murray presumably. With me it Djoko or Murray, as usual. :)

November 15th, 2009 at 12:57 pm

marija,

What forums exactly? The tennis newsgroup and that’s it. Lets not make things up, i know it’s not easy being a Serb, but you can’t change it so accept it.

Cilic is a complete wanker that will never be even an accidental champion like Djokovic. I gave up on him ages ago, so nothing to hurt about. I’m just saying it like he it is. Djokovic is by far the mosted hated/annoying player of the top 4. Enough said.

November 15th, 2009 at 1:00 pm

jane, yes its important those group. i bet nadal fans will wish for Verdasco and maybe Murray..Nadal has a good record with Murray.

November 15th, 2009 at 1:00 pm

Kimmi and j., the London draw is scheduled on Wednesday, 18 November, at 9.45 a.m. at the London Eye.
“The top seed will be placed in Group A and the second seed will be placed in Group B. Players/teams seeded three and four, five and six, seven and eight, will then be drawn in pairs with the first drawn placed in Group A” (Barclays site).

November 15th, 2009 at 1:02 pm

Thanks i am it. Wednesday it is then…

November 15th, 2009 at 1:03 pm

sonic, so that’s the catch here? You’re a hurt Croat? My condolence.

People, ignore this Thing.

Marija, thanks.

November 15th, 2009 at 1:06 pm

sonic,

I can tell you don’t appreciate Djok much, so I won’t waste too much breath defending him. But I will say this: if Nadal was 50% how come he was in the finals of every clay event? He got through everyone else he faced. Djok beat plenty of other quality players to get to those finals too – he beat both Fed & JMDP to get to the Rome final, for example. Don’t forget that Djoko also pushed Rafa on clay at Hamburg in 2008 when Rafa was playing the most sublime clay tennis, like, ever!

As for mental weakness, that’s a debatable issue, imo. If he is so mentally weak, I don’t think he could win in the way he has the last couple of weeks (beating home town finalists in both cases). Nor could he win a slam. Sure, he’s got mental weaknesses, I won’t deny it or I’d be a blind fan. And that I am not. Both Murray and Djoko – my two faves – lose focus at times in matches, which drives me mad. But Fed can completely unravel in final sets, too – especially lately. And that’s not only against Nadal, but it’s become a pattern. Nadal is the toughest mentally imo, of the top five. JMDP seems calm, but I think physically he could be the type who gets injured more (too tough to call now), we’ll see. Anyhow I think Djoko’s fitness has improved a lot, and I think he’s coming out of a confidence slump, which he fell into early in the year. He is a great player. Not just good. That’s the view from here.

I respect all people’s opinions. So you have a right to yours. I stand by what I posted to you earlier though; Basel was not Fed’s worst performance on the year (again, check the stats); he played much worse during the USO hard court swing in the Spring. And nor did Rafa play poorly yesterday. He, himself, will tell you that he has never played Djoko “on that level” before. Rafa played a great match against Tsonga too. I think he’s getting back to good form; he’s not at his best yet, but he’s playing better as the match with Tsonga showed.

Anyhow, that’s how I see it, so I guess we agree to disagree where Djok’s concerned.

November 15th, 2009 at 1:10 pm

One last thing: 16 titles doesn’t not an “accidental champion” make. LOL. And I think Cilic will do well; I think he will win a Wimbledon title one day. I may be crazy but that’s the one I can see him getting.

November 15th, 2009 at 1:13 pm

Jane, don’t bite that fishhook! Ignore this Thing.
His only motivation (to provoke) comes from his origin.

There’s nothing more pathetic than nationalists and haters.

sonic, you’re disgrace for your people. Smell out of here!

November 15th, 2009 at 1:18 pm

Duro – I respect all opinions as long as there is at least some effort to reason. I can see that sonic has a dislike for Djoko but I wanted to clarify some claims. I’ve done that now, and I will move on. I come from Canada – the peace-keeping nation. LOL. I try to avoid hurling insults too. It’s just not in me; you know that.

November 15th, 2009 at 1:22 pm

Here’s a well wrought summation of the final:

http://www.thesportscampus.com/200911152722/tennis-news/djokovic-captures-paris-masters-shield

November 15th, 2009 at 1:35 pm

Part of Dj interview:

“Winning back-to-back titles on this level is a huge achievement for me, and adding to that, beating No. 1, No. 2 of the world,” said Djokovic, who dismissed No. 2 Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals on Saturday. “So I’m very pleased with my performances in the past four, five weeks. I think winning back-to-back titles probably for the first or maybe second time in my career gives me even more motivation to make the same success in the future” (ATP).

other tidbits:
—5 titles in 10 finals in ’09, the max number of finals any player reached this year.
— played 94th match, compiling a 76-18 match record – the most match wins on the ATP World Tour in 2009.
—-Today’s victory marked Djokovic’s 16th tour-level title and the second time in his career that he has won five trophies, having also done so in 2007.
—-is ahead of the No. 4 by 1280 points. for Murray to pass, he will have to win the YEC by losing just 1 match, if Dj does not win any match, unlikely.

November 15th, 2009 at 1:39 pm

Sonic, I haven,t posted on this forum very often, however I enjoy reading the fraternal posts among these fans. This is a tennis forum, not a political one and if players such as Cilic, Karlovic,Djokovic, and all the rest from your area can project civility towards one another, then people like you should try to be more civil also. The war in your country is over . If you wish to keep on fighting try Afganistan. The sports arena is one place that politics have no place, so political fanatics go home!

November 15th, 2009 at 1:48 pm

To the rest of the fans on this thread, thanks for the giggles and insight into the game. This is one of the mosr respectful blogs I’ve come across. You all have your favs but are respectful of yor differences. I love tennis and admire all the playersfor what they bring to the game. Some of us ,hum hum, could only wish to acheive the top 100, never mind top 10 in the world, in anything in our lifetime.Kudos to all the players and all the true supportive fans.

November 15th, 2009 at 1:59 pm

Here’s another excerpt from Djok’s interview; I think he was battling some mental demons in addition to an inspired la Monf ;)
——————————–
“I had to dig deep, because in the last four finals that I’ve played this year in [ATP World Tour Masters] 1000 events I lost, so it was kind of in my head,” Djokovic said.

“I was thinking about it, and it wasn’t a pleasant feeling, especially when I saw Gael getting into the rhythm more. Of course the big support of the crowd gave him even more motivation and more energy towards the end of the match.
“So I was kind of fighting him and fighting the big pressure of the crowd. I was trying to hold all my nerves. At the end of the match, I threw all my emotions out and was happy.”
——————————–

November 15th, 2009 at 2:21 pm

So I’ve been trying hard not to post anything but this is just too good. I’m so happy Djokovic won. It’s just awesome. Finally got a Masters win this year. I’m sure Sean’s thinking about a way to spin this and say Djokovic was the garbage collector again but you just can’t say that. He beat Nadal and he beat Monfils. Monfils, of course, is the guy who took out both the guys who took out Murray and Federer.

I just can’t see Djokovic NOT winning the WTF. I think fatigue might play enough of a factor for him to lose a RR match, but I just can’t see him losing. He’s like Nadal often is during the clay season, too used to winning. He’s won 3 of the 4 events he’s played this indoor season. That’s parallel to Nadal’s clay seasons (wins 3 events and usually suffers one loss before going on to winning the culminating event, FO). Sure Nadal burnt out this year but Djokovic is gonna be facing all the top players, he doesn’t have to play up to them. In other words, he’s going to be extremely eager to show why prove that he really has been the best player in the world in the last few weeks.

Does anyone know the numbers for Djokovic to overtake Nadal? It’s funny how people thought Del Potro might have a chance to get to number 3 by the end of this year. I’m not trying to insult Del Po, I’m just saying how Djokovic has basically secured his ranking with superb play. There’s no questioning he belongs where he is, if not higher. I was also looking over his results for the year and he’s had a pretty up and down year. He started slow and didn’t really hit his stride until Miami. He played well from there until the FO where he had 4 poor tournys until he hit his stride again at Cincy. I guess the difference is that he beat Nadal rather than losing to him so his stride kept going.

As for Federer, he should retire if he doesn’t end number 1.

November 15th, 2009 at 2:28 pm

Record Dj has against Nadal

—-maintains a winning record against Nadal on Hard court by double margin, 6-3.

— 4 of the 5 Masters that Dj won was by beating Nadal at some point, semi or final (’07 Miami, ’07 Canada, ’08 Indian Wells, and ’09 Paris).

— 5 out of 6 times that Dj beat Nadal on Hard were at the Masters Series 1000 level, which includes ’08 Cincy.

Additional:

—-the 1st player to win a title, ’07 Canada Masters, by beating reigning No. 1, 2, and 3, Roddick, Nadal, and Fed, back to back (the only other player to repeat this feat was Nalby, later at ’07 Madrid).
—-the 1st player, since Safin’s 2005 win, to win a major on Hard by beating Fed, the reigning No. 1 (delPo accomplished this feat and became the 1st person to win a major by beating Nadal and Fed, back to back)
—-owns DelPo with 3-0 H2H, leads Murray 4-3, and leads Nadal on Hard, 6-3.
— ties with Fed on Hard since 2008, 3-3, but leads Fed OVERALL in 2009, 3-2.

Dj is primed to win his 2nd Major in 2010, AO, USO, or FO. Wimby will have to wait unless sudden Grass hunger and movement pop up in time.

November 15th, 2009 at 2:31 pm

Actually i am it, Boris Becker also beat the #1, 2, 3, to win a title; I think it was in 1992. So Djoko was the first in a long while! : )

November 15th, 2009 at 2:37 pm

Thanks for all of the great stats, as usual. You rock!

November 15th, 2009 at 2:37 pm

s/b
5 out of 6 times….which includes ‘08 Cincy

= 6 out of the 6 times that Dj beat Nadal were all at the Masters Series 1000 level, including ’08 and ’09 Cincy in the semifinals

November 15th, 2009 at 2:38 pm

Duro, even on that forum that Sonic the Croatian admits to being on, they ask him how many times he’s changed his ID in the last month. LOLOL
Croats are just seething because they don’t have a star.

November 15th, 2009 at 2:39 pm

I’m surprised by Djok’s lost. The replay will be on TTC at 7. Is it worth watching?

November 15th, 2009 at 2:39 pm

j., thanks for the correction. you rock, too. you just did.

November 15th, 2009 at 2:40 pm

Iamit:
I think he’s going to do it in 2010. I’ve always felt that in 2010 things would change for him.

November 15th, 2009 at 2:46 pm

Mary, you’re kidding right? Yes, the win is worth watching. Monfils fought hard for a comeback win, but Djoko’s fight in the final tiebreak made the difference.

November 15th, 2009 at 2:46 pm

Djokovic wants Wimbledon more than anything else so don’t count him out of Wimbledon. He did make the semis and get a set off Nadal before retiring in 07. And despite pretty lousy play, he pushed Haas in the QFs this year.

November 15th, 2009 at 2:48 pm

SS, great to see you with the more appropriate user ID, how fitting.
devastatingdjokovic ! way to go, man !
Welcome to the Club !
i agree with you, only taking precaution.

November 15th, 2009 at 2:51 pm

Is ss now dd? : ) It’s true; Novak has said he value Wimbledon highly. He has also been in finals at Queens and Halle, so yeah, I think maybe he can win it one day. He”d have to make that serve really consistent though.

i am it and sar, I hope you two are right about 2010. He does seem poised to do something, given that he’s now fitter and out of his confidence slump.

November 15th, 2009 at 2:51 pm

Roger Federer, speaking to the Sunday Times, on where he is in his career: “I’m midway. It feels like the second part of my career right now, although I am trying to avoid saying that because the second part sounds like ‘neehhhhrrrrr’ [motions straight down].

“You can definitely play your greatest tennis until 32 or 33, it’s just a matter of how you look at it. I’ve always been a big believer in looking at the big picture. It’s not about, ‘What will we do tomorrow?,’ it’s about, ‘How will my life and tennis look in the next five years?’ And I still have the same vision, so that’s going to help me.

“Many people were asking me, ‘When are you going to retire?’ And I said, ‘Well, I’m definitely going to play until the 2012 Olympics,’ but that was to shut them up, really. It depends how fit you are, but I would like to play beyond that…”

Really, Rog? I don’t know if I’m alone on this but I feel like Federer is probably gonna end his career with more slams than Masters. Right now he has 16 MS and 15 Slams.

November 15th, 2009 at 2:52 pm

Finally! I was thinking to adopt this nick for myself if Sensational doesn’t use it today! When if not today!? Congratulations, devastatingdjokovic!

November 15th, 2009 at 2:54 pm

What worries me is that Djokovic is a real momentum player. And the end of the year is, in some ways, the worst part of the year to gain momentum because you end up losing some/a lot/all of it during the off season where other players come back fresh and ready to win. Djokovic seems poised to win a second AO. I think Djokovic’s career is gonna explode after he gets a win over Nadal on clay. Unlike Federer, Djokovic’s game matches up with Nadal’s better so a lot of it is confidence. In 06, Federer would lose to Nadal because of the surface and Nadal’s style, he wasn’t lacking in the confidence department. That’s why, even after he got a win on clay, it wasn’t enough because Nadal’s game was still better. But for Djokovic, I think it’s more mental than the game styles. I’ve been wrong about plenty of things before but that’s what it looks like to me as of right now. That’s not to say Djokovic won’t have a great career if he never beats Nadal on clay.

November 15th, 2009 at 2:57 pm

DD (ex-SS),

This is a positive way of looking ahead: “And I still have the same vision, so that’s going to help me.”
as long as he is here playing tennis and winning Slams, say 1 Slam a year, or at least close to winning majors, he should not be thinking of a retirement plan yet. good that he is not. it is still tennis for him very day. he begins the day by playing or practicing and ends it by thinking how well he will play next day, next tournament.

naturally, like it or not, his thinking will change as time passes, and when he cannot make deep run in the tournament, not as often as he wants to, and when he barely can make quarterfinal runs at the majors. But good that that time has not come yet.

yes, it is likely that he will win more Slams than Masters.

November 15th, 2009 at 3:10 pm

Some words from Drew Lilley at the Bercy website:

For Nestor the trophy was of particular satisfaction – this was his first victory at the BNP Paribas Masters in 15 attempts.
——————————-
15 attempts!!!

LaMonf takes the mic first and says “merci merci merci” to the crowd, then goes on to thank his team, coach (telling him that he’ll win it next year and that Roger’ll have to learn French by then), his mates, his Mum – everyone he’s ever met, actually. Such a polite lad. And then Nole does the same – in French as well and the crowd absolutely love him for it, planting a metaphorical smacker on his sculpted Serbian cheek. They’ve taken him to their hearts this week, and he is such a deserving champion.

What to say about Djokovic? He improved as the tournament wore on, peaking in the semi-finals in his complete and utter demolition of Nadal, and still had enough left in the tank to take on a man who had the backing of 13,000 supporters, whom he even won over in the post-match presentation with his acceptance speech in more than passable French. His victory here – the 16th tournament win in his career – means that he has added a trophy to his cabinet that has eluded Nadal and Roger Federer over the years, and few would back against him retaining his ATP World Tour Finals crown in London in ten days time. The top two is now officially a triumvirate, and the Djoker has youth and exuberance on his side.
——————–
I guess speaking French was a good thing for Novak. He has to practice because his future win will be FO!

November 15th, 2009 at 3:23 pm

Wow amazing win Nole, first Nadal and then Monfils. He’s a true champion, I’ve seen a lot of amazing shots these last two days, enjoying tennis too much. Go Nole! Now win a slam because you deserve it more than anyone.

November 15th, 2009 at 3:27 pm

Well, I’ll be short and to the point;
Federer is like a magician, but an old one. Smart and talented. If his backhand was more powerful and effective, he would still be unbeatable.
Djokovic is the smartest player of them all, as smart as Federer but not as arrogant. Doesn’t have any particular weakness in his play. Although not as mentally strong as Fed used to be, he is working on it.
Nadal is the best athlete, giving 110% all the time, but is smart enough to slow down a bit, in order not to become a cripple in his thirties.
My predictions for 2010:
1. Djokovic
2. Federer
3. Murray
4. Nadal
5. Del Potro

By the way, I completely agree with what “devastatingdjokovic” said in last comment, incl. the last sentence

November 15th, 2009 at 4:14 pm

devastatingdjokovic Says:

As for Federer, he should retire if he doesn’t end number 1.

DD,

I was having a really good day today and then saw this ridiculous comment from you. No he shouldnt retire! How many more times does he have to say to media and haters of federer than he is going to be around until at least 2012. Trust me. I have read interview after interview from fed about his future plans. The man LOVES tennis. He LOVES practising, he LOVES the game. He LOVES his girls – Mirka, charlene and Myla – federer will continue to win slams for the next 3 years AT LEAST. He has the passion and the hunger for the game – it is great that novak is moving closer to No. 1 because ONE DAY he deserves to be No. 1. He has already won a slam, and is in the elite group of players who has done so. But stop knocking the fed because without him, tennis would be more boring, and there is no one who plays tennis like him. He is unique. Your comments are just sour grapes. Leave the guy alone. If you cannot see any positives in his game, then may be you should retire – from this forum!

Federer’s game continues to evolve – he has been brilliant up until USO – He doesnt have anything to prove to anyone, anymore. From hereonin, Federer will be going for slams – that is his own personal target – as a diehard federer fan – he has made this plainly clear on his website, that this is what drives him. If he loses his ranking next year – then so be it – the slams are where fed is at. If he keeps winning the slams, his ranking will take care of themselves.

Go fed go!

November 15th, 2009 at 4:24 pm

I posted this on another article but I don’t think anyone’s gonna check it so here it is (this is especially for you, madmax):

Michael, I like your predictions but I’d like to see Del Potro a little higher and Federer a little lower.

I have to admit I’m extremely pissed off at Federer. I didn’t expect him to win Paris but I expected a couple of wins. But no, instead he loses to Benneteau. His second loss to someone outside of the top 5 all year. It’s unacceptable. That’s why I haven’t posted in a few days. I wrote all that insightful stuff on his game and it all ends up meaningless. Thanks Roger. I just want him to end this year as number 1. After this year, though, I don’t care what he does. I’ll always love his game (it’s perfect) but he’s a veteran now, and I don’t like veterans. Safin’s gone and it’s all about Djokovic for me. (Btw, totally love the Safin farewell video on ATP, especially Djoker’s closing line).

Madmax, honestly, I love Federer. I’ve been rooting for him for so long and I always will unless he’s playing Djoker (and Del Potro, but first revenge). Why do I focus on the negatives and not the positives? You saw how much there was to write about his negatives, and you obviously believe he’s got a lot more positives than negatives, so do you just want me to write you a book and send you a copy? :) At the end of the day, he’s got the greatest forehand of all time and the best all around game. Few players, if any, have had as much variety on the backhand side despite it’s short comings against 2 handed players. His serve placement is up there with Sampras’s and his second serve is just awesome (can’t have 15 majors without a GREAT second serve). He’s got awesome touch at the net and hits great drop shots off both sides. What else? Footwork is superb, probably the best ever. No one glides like he does. Speed? Even though people think Nadal has been the fastest player over the last few years, I think (and I’ve said it before) Federer was the fastest guy on tour until, at least, 2007. His court coverage is incredible, his ability to switch from defense to offense to defense to offense is second to none (he this ability a necessity in today’s game). Why don’t I talk about his wins and how good he is? Because I will always believe that at his very best and highest peak, he is untouchable. We don’t see it as much nowadays, but even his best today is unbeatable. Hell, I think the only player who comes close is Safin (at his absolute best). With Safin retiring, people think about what could have been if Safin had lived up to his potential. Honestly, forget about the slams and titles and rankings. Imagine if Safin and Federer had played 5 or 6 times a year at their peaks. Imagine how many times we would say “that was the greatest match ever… I mean that was… no that definitely was their best… no that was their best…” I’m not trying to knock Nadal because I’ve got a lot of respect. But Federer and Safin, talentwise, are on a whole different level.

Next time Federer loses to someone <= Benneteau, I’m going to punch him in the face. I’m gonna punch both in the face.

Federer Update: 2009 8-9 in final sets, was unable to win more than 2 games 5 times , did not lose more than 2 games 4 times.

November 15th, 2009 at 4:43 pm

Jane: Haha, I will take your word for it since you are a great Djokovic fan:>

Re: Federer. It looks like he is being picky about which tournaments are worth his time and effort.

November 15th, 2009 at 6:42 pm

Mary, if you do watch it, be forewarned, the third set (and for Djoko the second) is a bit of an error fest. But there is still some good shot-making, though it’s clear both guys are tired. It’s a good match,anyhow. Cheers, hope you’re well.

November 15th, 2009 at 7:13 pm

j., worth replaying Dj-Rafa Paris semi 2009 in full screen, clear but incomplete.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zZb5j9uwXo

November 15th, 2009 at 9:35 pm

“Djokovic is by far the mosted hated/annoying player of the top 4.”

I just learned that the guy who stated this is a croat. My condolences! People who can post rubbish like this deserve to be ignored and qualified as ignorant!

The fact that croat said this explains everything.

But not all croats are like that: tennis players Ljubicic, Ancic, Cilic, Karlovic are in superb relationship with Novak. Mario Ancic was Novak’s training partner before he suffered from mono. These are all decent, nice mannered croats which I respect tremendously!

It always hits me hard when some anonymous dunce tries to act above their capabilities. The usual result is catastrophic.

Btw, nice job Nole, looking forward to 2010 and you as a #1 tennis player. Also would love to see Fed take his 16th GS and Mario Cilic breakthrough in the best 10. Cheers.

November 15th, 2009 at 9:37 pm

Federer’s return to #1 isn’t a fluke. He’ll be there for a while.

Djokovic has improved a lot, and I’m impressed with how willing he is to keep his head down and work away.

But the king is still the king.

His biggest problem is finding the motivation, but I think he’ll find plenty of that. Now he can play for sheer delight in the game, for the pleasure of creating beautiful tennis, and for his young family.

As for Djokovic on grass, I think the problem is not the serve, but the footwork. Grass is tricky for offensive baseliners (look at Del Potro, who made the quarters at AO, SF at FO, and won USO, but only made round two at Wimbledon.) It’s easier to make errors and misjudge the ball, because the surface is not homogeneous like clay or hardcourt.

The canonical example of an offensive baseliner who won Wimbledon was Agassi, but Djokovic doesn’t have his freakish reflexes or pure ball-striking ability.

Federer naturally makes all the subtle adjustments needed to play well on grass. Nadal has excellent footwork too, but moreover his shots have high margin for error, the topspin gives them high net clearance, but causes them to dip down at the last minute and land inside the lines. Thus bad bounces and the like don’t bother him quite so much; the topspin acts as a self-correcting mechanism.

Unless Djokovic improves his footwork, I don’t see him winning Wimbledon, though anything can happen.

November 16th, 2009 at 1:17 am

devastatingdjokovic,

DD for short from now on!
Your following post:
Posted November 15th, 2009 at 4:43 pm

was a lot better for me, and a lot more measured! So thank you! i know he lost to benneteau, but did you see benneteau play federer at the FO this year? It kind of didnt surprise me DD, i dont know why. I think these days, guys are no longer frightened for fed, nadal or murray – (I say murray, because when he went up to no. 3 or was it no. 2?, he had a certain ‘aura’ about him, players got a bit scared – you know what I am saying?

But novak is very much the man of the moment, and he deserves to be.

Rafa is not the rafa of old.

Fed is still very much motivated but I feel, only for the slams now. Every other tournament is a bonus for him (not making excuses), just feel that every single comment you made abut his footwork, backhand, second serve, everything, I agree with. Commentators have always criticised fed’s backhand, but I have to say, it is the second best in the game – and I actually think that stan’s backhand is one of the best, if not THE best. Stan played awesome tennis at wimby this year, taking murray to a 5 setter, and stan’s backhand was out of this world.

Federer’s all round game is the best, everything. I feel it would help his game to get someone on his team to instil him with the confidence that he needs to finish off a match earlier, to get the ‘glory days’ mentality. It’s there, but it is not as consistent as it once was. It needs to be reignited. Federer makes tennis look so easy, and the reason why he has been at the top for so long, is because he has been just ‘too good’. Now the others are catching up/caught up with him, and federer needs to take it to another level.

I go on heart age, DD. 28 means nothing to me. We have athletes over here in the UK who are in their mid 30’s still at the top of their game. Look at Lubjuvic, (31), Stepanek (31), still at the top of their game. Fed just turned 28 and won two slams this year, and reached 2 slam finals, a few months shy of 28. For me, as long as he still wants to play top notch tennis, there is no reason why he cannot go on and win more slams. I really and truly believe that and I wont falter in my admiration, or support of roger federer. I love him DD.

November 16th, 2009 at 4:53 am

You know – looking at Federer, Nadal, Murray and Djokovic and trying to say who is the “most hated” is kind of like looking at a litter of 3-month old kittens and being asked which one is the ugliest.

These 4 men all represent the sport extremely well; they have charities they work for, they are good sportsmen and they are a credit to what used to be a joke when brats and goofs used to play the game.

Let’s try and be a little more positive in here, hmmmn ?

November 16th, 2009 at 9:53 am

Gordo,

yes. I agree with you.

What i do not like is when people call federer arrogant. If he was THAT arrogant, he wouldnt allow for ALL proceeds ofv the sales of his baseball cap to go to his children’s charity in south africa, or a third of the proceeds of his tennis gear to go to UNICEF, or be voted the best player for Laureus sports awards 5 years on the go, or be admired,loved, respected by media, whom he spends MORE time than any other player – at least 45 minutes, he wouldnt spend time signing autographs for fans, his family wouldnt have invited novak’s family to their home in Basel, (did anyone read that too? if you did, then you didnt mention it!), federer is just an amazing role model – and I am sorry, but I could go on and on about the guy, EVERY SINGLE TENNIS PLAYER out there has to have self-belief in their game, a whiff of arrogance in order to play at such a high level, if federer was out and out arrogant, he would not give of his time one little bit, and he does, for the love of the game, his fans, and his work outside of tennis and also as President of ATP (with rafa being vice president)- why people cannot be positive about the man, I will never understand.

I guess some will just be happy when federer does retire, because it will give their guys more of a chance and then they will move on to someone else to satisfy their need to bring wonderful tennis players down –

Long live roger federer! and the game of tennis will stay alive and kicking!

Go fed go!

November 16th, 2009 at 10:34 am

This story of any player’s arrogance should be put aside. Of course they are all arrogant. That arrogance is called self-esteem, I’d say. It’s not like you get a top-five tennis player every day. It’s simply humane that you have boost of self-esteem when you achieve big things. Imagine if Fed said ‘oh, well, I’m the world’s No 1, so what? It’s not that big a deal.’ Of course it’s something big. And, don’t get me started on Nole Đoković. He’s done a lot for himself, as well as for Serbia given the training conditions he had when he was a junior. No one, other than himself and us, his compatriots, can understand what he’s been through, and that’s why no stranger can actually understand his ‘arrogant’ behavior. It’s pride – something he is entitled to after all he’s achieved.

November 17th, 2009 at 8:07 am

Darko, No one is arguing with you at all!

I totally respect the novak fans – ask duro – we understand each other beautifully, and whilst you are being all patriotic, there are other people in this world who know about novak’s story – me for one – i may not live in serbia – but trust me – i know and the respect is enormous.

What bothered me, was an earlier poster calling federer arrogant. I hear it all the time, and I am sick of it to be honest – novak said his performance was ‘perfect’, and he has every right to say that – being the player to beat right now.

Sometimes, for whatever reason, federer gets bad press – and i have to say, bad press darko, from some posters from serbia – it cannot be denied – I do not know why. it annoys me intensely. I am glad you seem to recognise self-belief as a positive – it can only contribute positively to a player’s game.

Duro,

whereever you are, I hope you are feeling better after your sickness and hope to see you soon,

regards, maxi.

November 17th, 2009 at 12:57 pm

Fed will be no1 at year end with respect for Raf because Novak is likely to win in London and the Fed is still far from a spent force.
Yes he did not get far in Paris but Benneteau had a magic day and every shot wildly hit found its mark,I doubt very much he can ever do that again,It was unfortunate for the Fed which otherwise would have done well considering all the retirments in the tournamentand poor play by several.
Novak is going for no1if he continues to play like now and I wish him well.

November 17th, 2009 at 5:49 pm

his family wouldnt have invited novak’s family to their home in Basel, (did anyone read that too?
—————————
Madmax, no I didn’t read this but did they go and bury all the hatchets?

November 17th, 2009 at 6:37 pm

Sar,

I was surprised too because I think there has always been a rumour between novak/fed as there was between novak/roddick. What I read was that fed actually thought that novak’s impressions were funny (when he did that stint in the locker room 2/3 years ago), honestly, I read that many about fed, I am like his stalker! – they have defo buried anything that was allegedly ‘bad’ between them – I think the thing that narked fed was novak’s parents shouting in the crowd at his end of the match (cannot remember which one that was), and rightly, fed got irritated – but things pass – dont you think?

The best thing I saw between two players Sar, was the both of them at basel, in the final, at the ceremony, laughing, joking together and a fantastic interview given by fed afterwards saying how much he respected Novak, how much he thought his game was better than his on that day – and I would like to believe very much, that the both of them are much warmer towards each other – that was evident.

About the family meet – if you get onto swissinfo, you’ll find some stuff there about the two of them – I think they have definitely buried the hatchet – (if there was one to bury in the first place?). They are never going to be best buddies, until they both retire, and that one is way off – both are a credit to the sport sar – and let’s face it – their parents are adults of great sportsman – so this shouldnt come as a surprise to anyone. It was a great read.

November 18th, 2009 at 1:29 pm