French Open Men’s SF Open Thread: Nadal v Ferrer, Djokovic v Federer

The time spent on court are pretty much misleading. Typically for Roger we may take out 5% of this time spent on non-playing stuff, for Rafa it would be 25%. So you may have to take that into account when we consider the less time different between Roger and Rafa though Roger has played more 4-setters and 5-setter.

Roger has a capacity to take probably 1-set or at the max 2-set against Novak. But if Roger is wise, he would just move on and start practicing in Grass. Grass seems to be a bigger challenge for Roger for past 2 years. He has not moved past Quarters for past 2 years.

He needs to start preparing for heavy hitters there. The power hitters like Berdych, Tsonga, Delpo are getting into good form and most likely Roger will face one of them in the Quarters. He should focus on that.

June 7th, 2012 at 11:51 pm

Nirmal,

But a Champion like Roger will not give up any tournament without a fight. Who knows, he might be beaten early at Wimbledon as nothing is certain. Why give up this one cheaply ??

June 8th, 2012 at 12:26 am

I would be very happy if Ferrer manages to win the French Open crown. A tough ask really. But still nothing is impossible. He is a very good player who surprisingly has not won even a Masters title or reached the final of a major. As much as I would like Novak to win a major and may be even Roger to win the title, I would be rooting all the way for Ferrer if he manages to dislodge Rafa – a tough ask indeed.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:31 am

I can’t wait to see Novak do the Djoker slam. I will be heartbroken if he loses now.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:45 am

Michael,

I agree. For me Roger is the ultimate competitor compared to other Top 10 guys. He will not give up. But it’s only my wish he takes such calls as he gets older and needs to preserve his body.

Looking at Roger for many years, I feel he needs some rest looking at his body language now at FO and at Rome.

I would like him to take up Halle this time and be better prepared for Wimbledon and Olympics. I think now Roger needs time to adjust to surface. He said same at the begining of the year, when asked why he took up tournaments post AO which he skipped before. Roger clearly said he wanted more match practice before the US swing.

My God, things may change if by chance Ferrer beats Nadal. LOL. Then my opinion differs. I may want Roger to give his best and if he does, he beats Novak.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:11 am

Nirmal,

I appreciate your concern for Roger. But all said and done, this is a major and he cannot take that lightly. He has to do his best particularly due to the fact that he need to defend a lot of points as last time he had been in the finals. If need arises, he can skip Halle and instead go for practice session at the Grass courts and then be ready for the Wimbledon and then Olympics.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:26 am

If Nole gets his Novak slam, people would start considering him for GOAThood. It would be the biggest achievement in this era if he gets through both Federer and Nadal and takes the FO.

I guess Federer would prefer to see Rafa lifting his 7th FO compared to Nole achieving his 4 in a row. 4 in a row for Novak would be a huge dent in the legacy of Federer. I guess Federer would go all out to prevent this today.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:34 am

I think Federer personally doesnt like Nole much. Thats why he came up with his best in the FO SF last year to dethrone which would help Rafa take the FO. He may spoil Nole’s party this year too and give Rafa another birthday gift.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:38 am

Djokowins,

Considering all the above, Roger would be ofcourse happy if he wins the title himself or in the worst case Ferrer goes on to win. Either Nadal or Novak winning the title will not be to the liking of Roger.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:52 am

Djokowins,

Roger is a positive champion. I don’t think he is going to stop Novak just to protect his legacy. That’s not the way Roger has positioned himself as a champion so far. I don’t think people would call Novak a GOAT just for this record, maybe few Novak’s crazy fans may do.

June 8th, 2012 at 2:09 am

Hi guys, king Roger couldn’t make Roger slam, how could nole ?????!!!!
Wake up please!!!!!

June 8th, 2012 at 2:17 am

I am confident that Nole would do something Federer or Nadal has not done till now.

He is simply the better player. With age and momentum on his age side, he would surely get his novak slam, calendar slam and also go past 16.

Nole is here to rule for the next 4-5 years with atleast 2 slams per year.

June 8th, 2012 at 2:43 am

As long as Federer is in the draw, he should and will fight to his utmost for the title.

He is one match away from the title fight. He’s had to battle through three consecutive four-setters plus coming back from a two-set hole against Del Potro to get to this stage. He won’t throw all that effort away.

June 8th, 2012 at 2:53 am

Djokowins,

I appreciate your positive thinking about Novak. Let’s see what he can do. Tennis needs greater champions, if Novak can carry if forward from Roger it would be good for tennis.

But mind you, greatest achievement of Roger is not in stats, but in the quality. He made tennis what it is today. I concur with Novak when he said the same in Dubai.

Novak or Rafa would not have become this good players without Roger being their predecessor.

Probably 20 years from now, when people watch Roger on youtube, they may realise this.

Roger’s tennis is divine, it’s not defined by stats.

June 8th, 2012 at 3:48 am

Nirmal,

I just cannot understand you. On the one end, you praise Roger to sky and on the other end, you resign him to dust. Might be you are a little confused as to how to deal with Roger ??

June 8th, 2012 at 4:38 am

On the one end, you praise Roger to sky and on the other end, you resign him to dust.

No. Tell me a statement where I put Roger to dust. He is the only player I keep all my personal work aside to watch, no matter what the time is.

But I’m, a much bigger tennis fan watching tennis for past 27 years. I have too much respect for other greats who played the game and this includes Nadal. I just cannot understand the logic of putting other players down just to show Roger is the best of all. Roger does not need that. His greatness cannot be defined by Stats.

Might be you are a little confused as to how to deal with Roger ??

It’s actually others who are confused. Not me. I’m pretty clear. He is a Top 5 all time great player and personally for me the best player to watch tennis.

June 8th, 2012 at 4:50 am

Very nice one on Roger by Bodo.

http://blogs.tennis.com/tennisworld/2012/06/tk-1.html

June 8th, 2012 at 5:08 am

But I’m, a much bigger tennis fan watching tennis for past 27 years. I have too much respect for other greats who played the game and this includes Nadal. I just cannot understand the logic of putting other players down just to show Roger is the best of all. Roger does not need that. His greatness cannot be defined by Stats.

Comparing the records is not putting the other players down. If the records show, Roger is better why not mention it ?? Roger infact needs that. It is records which ultimately define who is a Great player ?? How to evaluate a player without records ??

It’s actually others who are confused. Not me. I’m pretty clear. He is a Top 5 all time great player and personally for me the best player to watch tennis

No, I am not confused. I have said and I repeat, Roger is the GREATEST player.

June 8th, 2012 at 5:08 am

It is records which ultimately define who is a Great player ?? How to evaluate a player without records ??

Yeah, but just that different players Excel.

Roger does not have a GS yet, which Laver has.

Roger has not won Olympics singles gold yet, which Rafa and Agassi have won. Let’s not confuse it with Doubles gold he won.

Roger does not have a record for most number of weeks as No 1 and also consecutive year end No 1.

Roger has not beaten his Rival at Clay and HC GS matches.

Roger does not have the channel slam record of Borg.

Roger does not have the record of most number of tournaments won like Connors.

So, Roger has some great records. But not all the records to be called the GREATEST IMO.

June 8th, 2012 at 5:19 am

hehehe If we bother to put up the records he does have then there would be ample room for others to give comment on the semie today.

June 8th, 2012 at 6:10 am

Nirmal,

Roger does not have a GS yet, which Laver has.

Yes. That is missing in his resume. But in the modern era he was the one who came close not twice, but thrice. Sure, Laver did that. But the era is completely different. During Laver’s time, except for the French, all other majors were played on Grass courts which made his task easy. Not like today where we have four different courts.

Roger has not won Olympics singles gold yet, which Rafa and Agassi have won. Let’s not confuse it with Doubles gold he won.

Obvious. In the same manner, we can argue that Rafa is yet to win the World series Masters which is next in importance to the majors.

Roger does not have a record for most number of weeks as No 1 and also consecutive year end No 1.

He is perilously close to Sampras record for most number of weeks and infact he holds the record for consecutive weeks as World No.1 and ie. a total of237 weeks which is a record.

Roger has not beaten his Rival at Clay and HC GS matches.

Leave alone Roger, nobody (apart from Soderling) has been able to beat Nadal on Clay that shows his dominion over that court. As regards the Hard Courts, Roger still leads Nadal in their H2H when we take out the clay court stuff.

Roger does not have the channel slam record of Borg

No infact he has that record. He did it in 2009. You are misinformed.

Roger does not have the record of most number of tournaments won like Connors

That we have to see at the end of his career as to how many tournaments he has been able to win. See Connors played till he was 41, while Roger is 30 and he has 74.

So, Roger has some great records. But not all the records to be called the GREATEST IMO

Nobody is perfect in this world. From the records set so far, Roger’s accumulation appears quite impressive and so we need not have any inhibition in calling him the GOAT. Even Nadal nods that.

June 8th, 2012 at 6:13 am

Djokowins Says:
If Nole gets his Novak slam, people would start considering him for GOAThood. It would be the biggest achievement in this era if he gets through both Federer and Nadal and takes the FO.

I guess Federer would prefer to see Rafa lifting his 7th FO compared to Nole achieving his 4 in a row. 4 in a row for Novak would be a huge dent in the legacy of Federer. I guess Federer would go all out to prevent this today.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:34 am

Djokowins Says:
I think Federer personally doesnt like Nole much. Thats why he came up with his best in the FO SF last year to dethrone which would help Rafa take the FO. He may spoil Nole’s party this year too and give Rafa another birthday gift.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:38 am

I do think you need to look at all the past records of Roger. Novak does not even come close. He is a great tennis player, but not the greatest and I am a big, big fan of Novak.

What Roger has done for tennis is indefeasible, intangible, beautiful, exciting and ‘other worldly’.

He has spoken gallantly about novak, it’s people like you that want to make out there is a problem. Novak is great. Roger is the greatest.

June 8th, 2012 at 6:15 am

Roger does not have the channel slam record of Borg

I meant the numbers. Borg beats Roger there in terms of number of channel slam he holds. Which is amazingly impressive.

Obvious. In the same manner, we can argue that Rafa is yet to win the World series Masters which is next in importance to the majors.

Yes, that’s why it’s hard to call only one person as GOAT. I don’t think I meant Rafa to be a GOAT.

Leave alone Roger, nobody (apart from Soderling) has been able to beat Nadal on Clay that shows his dominion over that court.

Yeah, that’s right. That’s why we cannot define Roger as GREATEST, since there is someone greater than him on CLAY, which is a MAJOR surface.

. As regards the Hard Courts, Roger still leads Nadal in their H2H when we take out the clay court stuff.

I think Murray leads Roger in H2H in that case. We talk about slams not minor tournaments. I just can’t believe that Roger has not beaten Rafa in GS HC.

June 8th, 2012 at 6:20 am

Nirmal,

thanks for sharing the link. I took a piece out of it as I felt a few people might miss out on not clicking on the link.

Not sure I like the title or under the ‘anti special’ though. Even though Bodo explained it. It didn’t work for me.

‘Great players are supposed to be complicated, a la John McEnroe or Martina Navratilova. Or detached and inward-turned, a la Pete Sampras, Steffi Graf, or Bjorn Borg. Roger Federer is simultaneously uncomplicated and outward-turning, a deadly anti-special combination. Roger Federer is regular. When it comes to filling out that line on the job application, he writes “champion” and then goes and sits down with all the others to await his turn to be called. What makes Federer special is that he’s anti-special.

That might lead you to think that at this point a tournament like the one underway in Paris is something of a lark. There’s no question he’s been there and done that. There’s no question that his prospects are at best grim: Meet the hammer of the tennis gods in Djokovic and, if you’re lucky, earn the dubious privilege of getting torn to pieces by Nadal. It doesn’t sound like it’s worth getting all dressed up for. Can it be that the very impossibility of the situation liberates Federer?

I’ve tried for my entire career not to be besotted with every pretty game that comes along. I’ve poked fun at Federer for showing up at Wimbledon looking like he just leaped off the cover of the Beatles’ Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album, just as I’ve criticized Nadal for his complaints about the calendar or blue clay, and Djokovic for his early-career penchant for quitting. But the more time goes on, the more I respect Federer, and the grace and ease with which he carries both the benefits and disadvantages of his position. It’s the very fact that he’s anti-special that makes him special.

I don’t know if some dimension or aspect of that quality can be made to work for him in the semis, and I just have to wince when I ponder how short-lived his joy might be should he manage to take down Djokovic. But you know the old cliché about how it’s not whether you won or lost, but how you played the game.

And nobody, but nobody, has played the game as admirably as Federer—in every way imaginable, on and off the court’.

June 8th, 2012 at 6:22 am

madmax,

I believe the below line sums up Roger’s career. For me It’s not the records which defines his career, because he has few and he does not have few. Someone may break his record quickly like Rafa, but what Bodo defines below will always make his special.

And nobody, but nobody, has played the game as admirably as Federer—in every way imaginable, on and off the court’.

June 8th, 2012 at 6:28 am

I think Murray leads Roger in H2H in that case. We talk about slams not minor tournaments. I just can’t believe that Roger has not beaten Rafa in GS HC.

June 8th, 2012 at 6:20 am

Nirmal, please. Is it Roger’s fault that Rafa hasn’t made finals in GS’? This is a whole different argument.

During Federer’s hottest streak, between Wimbledon in 2005 and the Australian Open Final in 2010, he appeared in every Grand Slam final bar one.

He does not have the greatest career win percentage of all time, TRUE, – that record belongs to Bjorn Borg.

However, he has a raft of other achievements which may never be bettered: the most consecutive Slam finals (10), semi-finals (23), quarter-finals (32) and wins (28).

But Federer’s GREATENESS is stylistic, as well as statistical. He has looked, since he shook himself out of the angry-young-man persona with which he began his career, like the perfect player.

How about wins to losses.

Novak Djokovic’s stats of 2011 may have obscured perspective, going five months without losing a match will do that. But doing it over 14 years?

Federer’s figures read 814 wins, 186 losses, a winning percentage of 81.4. Djokovic’s, by contrast, are at 394 to 111, 78 per cent.

During those 813 matches, the Swiss has won 1999 sets (75 per cent) and 15087 games (58 per cent). Mind-reeling.

Statistically, Federer is one of the greats. Only eight other players (Ilie Nastase, Brian Gottfried, Connors, Andy Murray’s coach Ivan Lendl, Guillermo Vilas, Andre Agassi, Stefan Edberg and John McEnroe) have played 1,000 or more matches.

June 8th, 2012 at 6:31 am

I just can’t believe that Roger has not beaten Rafa in GS HC.

But that is because Roger did not get that many opportunities to face Rafa on hard courts. They were able to meet only twice at the Australian Open. One in 2009 and the next in 2011 when Roger was over 30. If Rafa had been consistent in reaching hard court slams during Roger’s prime, then may be the H2H would have been different. But it didn’t happen and Roger is paying for his consistency on Clay courts where he was a regular finalist whereas Rafa hardly reached Hard court major finals during Roger’s prime.

June 8th, 2012 at 6:58 am

Where are Sean’s picks for the SFs?

June 8th, 2012 at 7:21 am

It is starting, but i’m not really awake; just one eye open on the Nadal match. Poor Ferrer has no chance unless Rafa tweaks something major during the match, which he won’t do at FO.

My prediction: Ferrer wil come out strong and try hard the 1st set, like Almagro did. Doubtful Ferrer will get a set and the 2nd and 3rd sets Rafa will be relaxed and dominate.

Djokovic in 4

June 8th, 2012 at 7:21 am

Ferrer’s starting well, putting some pressure on Rafa, but clay matches against Rafa always look a bit even until the 3rd or 4th game of the 1st set. Then Rafa settles in, goes up a gear, and it’s adios!

June 8th, 2012 at 7:30 am

lol, listening to Radio Rolland Garros (english). Craig Gabriel says, “Apparently according to that book Nadal pulls at his short playing playstation…” hehehehee the comedy team is on.

June 8th, 2012 at 7:34 am

Come on nadal, fight back

June 8th, 2012 at 7:35 am

I think if Ferrer can win the first set he has a SMALL chance to win the match. Otherwise, no way.

June 8th, 2012 at 7:37 am

Wow, Ferrer really messed that one up!!

June 8th, 2012 at 7:39 am

If Ferrer can’t put away opportunities like that, he’s toast.

June 8th, 2012 at 7:39 am

If Ferrer doesn’t break here, he loses his serve next.

June 8th, 2012 at 7:39 am

Ferrer is too tense in clutch moments.

June 8th, 2012 at 7:41 am

0-30. Almost like clockwork, Rafa. =)

June 8th, 2012 at 7:41 am

There is nothing to see here.

June 8th, 2012 at 7:42 am

Nice, you called it.

June 8th, 2012 at 7:43 am

Unfortunately, the match is over before it began, yep.

June 8th, 2012 at 7:43 am

hahahahah i decided to spare my energy for the second semifinal..nadal is worth than toothache..and of course breaks ferrer at will while ferrer misses over and over again to break that guy…see you later folks

June 8th, 2012 at 7:44 am

I might just play Topspin 4 until the Federer-Djokovic semi. Unless Ferrer breaks right back, there’s not much he’s going to be able to do to turn this around. He needs the first set, failing to do that, Rafa in 3. No doubt.

June 8th, 2012 at 7:45 am

yap, how many games does Ferrer get? Nadal is warmed up already. Almagro surprised me a little 1st set…

still gonna say, not more than 4-6 games for Ferrer.

June 8th, 2012 at 7:45 am

Ferrer had chances in both Nadal service games until Nadal say: enough. He hold and break to love and now has grown in the match. Straight time affair from now on.

June 8th, 2012 at 7:46 am

nadal say enoughhhh?’?? or ferrer said do not want to take that big chance to break that guy

June 8th, 2012 at 7:47 am

I would tend to agree with you, Daniel. Ferrer had his chance to dig in the match with those break points, but in any case, had he converted them, Rafa probably would have taken his serve anyway. Rafa just does everything better than Ferrer, heh. The way Ferrer played his 4 first rounds, I thought he’d have a tiny little chance, but he’s not playing well enough right now.

June 8th, 2012 at 7:48 am

Okay, the way Nadal just played that rally, Ferrer really does not stand a chance. It seems there’s nothing he can do to make a winner, Rafa’s always putting it back in.

June 8th, 2012 at 7:49 am

Yawn. Stadium have empty too. Back to sleep zzz

June 8th, 2012 at 7:50 am

Since after that BP Ferrer made a mess I think nadal only lost 1 point, a backhand in the net.

June 8th, 2012 at 7:50 am

The way this is going, I can imagine a bagel happening in the near future…

June 8th, 2012 at 7:50 am

Geez could Ferrer have played those BPs worse? No guts there, no commitment. Now he mentally collapses. It will be a boring match.

June 8th, 2012 at 7:50 am

Conty,

Nico has just much more power than Ferru. That’s the difference. You can’t beat Rafa only being consistent. Though you can’t beat him without consistency.

June 8th, 2012 at 7:51 am

County @7:34…..LOL!!

June 8th, 2012 at 7:51 am

All right, so it’s gonna be 6-2 in the first. Time for Nadal to open up the bagel stand… look… he’s warming up the batter…

June 8th, 2012 at 7:52 am

^conty…. Sorry sleepy :(

June 8th, 2012 at 7:52 am

Van orten,

The enough is Nadal raising his game. His shots has more depth now and he is taking control of all points. This will go fast

June 8th, 2012 at 7:52 am

well, mat4, you are right about that. but these mates are beaten when the draw comes out and they know they play Nadal.

got my bose headphones on – just going to listen to this while I watch Ferrer…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFS4zYWxzNA

poor guy, it’s a pity.

June 8th, 2012 at 7:55 am

“the match is over before it began” that’s about right. I am better off making a dinner for myself, but first I will have Serbian tea, one that mat4 loves, to keep me worm until Fedole match:) it is a bit chilly tonight:)

June 8th, 2012 at 7:55 am

agreed daniel. but i am not watching anymore. i know what is coming anyways

June 8th, 2012 at 7:55 am

Damn boring…wat on earth can stop nadal????

June 8th, 2012 at 7:56 am

Nadal wasnt even doing something special. It has got that bad. He just needs to retrieve for a couple of games and wait for the other guy to implode. Boring.

June 8th, 2012 at 7:58 am

Nadal’s domination at RG is getting a little old, I have to admit… There’s just no one to stop him the way he is playing. Even if Djoko makes it past Federer today, he’s not been playing well enough to take down Rafa in Paris.

June 8th, 2012 at 7:58 am

Conty,

You could be quite right. The way Ferru missed his break point is telling.

WB,

I’ll have a glass of wine in that name.

June 8th, 2012 at 7:59 am

Oh, Ferrer thinks he’s got better chances of winning wearing a pink shirt. =)

June 8th, 2012 at 7:59 am

madmax,

As a Roger fan, you should be happy that Rafa did not reach those finals. Rafa beat Roger at Dubai which is a faster surface many many years ago. I don’t think the result would have been different if they had faced earlier in GS HC.

Michael,

Don’t tell me Roger was over 30 at 2009. And what about Nadal coming from a 5 hour gruelling match and having only one day of rest. Let’s not fool ourself. Let’s face the fact and accept Roger is not capable of beating Rafa in Slams anymore.

June 8th, 2012 at 8:00 am

Conty,

an answer to your link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fi-S9lrnLZ8

June 8th, 2012 at 8:01 am

As a girl, I really love that pink color of Ferrer’s shirt. Hm…it’s so distracting and pretty. If only his game was the same. This is a snooze fest.

June 8th, 2012 at 8:03 am

With what Rafa achieved, he should get more incentives just for playing at FO. The tickets should cost more for his matches and he should get special purse for winning there. People should understand it’s a privilege to see this guy play on clay.

June 8th, 2012 at 8:05 am

clubbed to death. back to sleep.

somebody wake me up when Djoderer – nolger – rogole starts….skeeze?

June 8th, 2012 at 8:06 am

Oh, that Neil Young is good, merci, mat4

June 8th, 2012 at 8:08 am

Je t’en prie.

June 8th, 2012 at 8:09 am

The amount of work Ferrer has to put into every single point because of Nadal’s defense is insane. How can anybody hope to keep this up for a whole match? Nadal’s far from being my favorite tennis player, but damn, the level he produces on a tennis court is frightening, especially on clay.

June 8th, 2012 at 8:11 am

whats wrong with Rafa’s face? lol

Lmao…that expression.

This french he’s looked like he has some major big sticks up his butt.

June 8th, 2012 at 8:11 am

Holy crap, what a rally. And Nadal still wins that one after falling on his ass.

June 8th, 2012 at 8:12 am

Nadal falls on his ass in no-man’s land and still wins the point.

June 8th, 2012 at 8:13 am

That ball hit Nadal’s racket twice, it looked like, no?

June 8th, 2012 at 8:13 am

Nadal stands head and shoulders above Ferrer, there’s nothing David can do. Concede as few serve games as possible and preserve his honor by avoiding a 3rd set bagel, I think that’s the only option left to him.

June 8th, 2012 at 8:16 am

wouldn’t be right without some Tom Waits about now. waiting for…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7UHd7NVegE&feature=related

June 8th, 2012 at 8:26 am

Never thought id say this about any player but if sunday goes as expected, is there much standing in the way of nadal winning double digit french open trophies?

June 8th, 2012 at 8:32 am

Maybe not. He can certainly maintain great clay-court game until he’s 29, and barring any as-of-yet unknown players, no one on the current tour except perhaps a resurgent Djokovic is going to get good enough on clay to take him on. This is of course assuming Nadal stays in good shape.

June 8th, 2012 at 8:36 am

To be fair to other players, atleast FO should consider widening the court on Nadal’s side of the opponents. I believe for the opponent it should include the doubles line also on Nadal’s side. That way they can try and take few games against him.

June 8th, 2012 at 8:37 am

It gets so boring to watch RG these days. Sure there were some nice other matches (that didn’t include Rafa, a match needs 2). But nobody walks on court against Rafa believing he can win. Why does nobody step forward to the net after a great groundy and while Rafa is under pressure. No they let Rafa slide, slice it back high and set back the rally to neutral. Wait for an UE or Nadal to take over and blast a winner.

Last week they talked on Eurosport about how Rafa took every spring clay tournament as if it was equally important and gives it his all. Here’s why in my opinion; if he beats the crap out of everybody, he carries the confidence and momentum into the French on a maximum.

I think Rafa is a great confidence player. He needs it maybe a littlre more than more naturally gifted players. But he also maximizes it to it’s full potential. He has been able to carry it from the claycourt season through the grass season and all the way through to the HC season, untill the end of the season, then he usually fades and the fitness and confidence drops.

Personally I don’t think Rafa is that great of a tennis player. He’s the best figther en match player ever probably. But tenniswise not my cup of tea.

But that boils down to the discussion of personal preference Some people like Pele/Cruyff/Maradona other people adore Nesta/Pepe/Cannavaro/Lucio.

June 8th, 2012 at 8:41 am

whenever Craig Gabriel is commentating, it’s worth a listen- RG Radio. He just told a story of how a kid in a wheelchair was trying to get an autograph and Rafa spent 10 minutes with the kid, aww, Rafa. off court I really like him.

shoot. rain delay. now i do have to get up. will miss the djoker-roger match. the one i wanted to see.

June 8th, 2012 at 8:43 am

To support my spring clay court Rafa theory here the example.

Rafa beats Ferrer in Barcelona. Very close match, Ferrer a little unlucky. 7-6 ; 7-5 ; but he manages to keep it close.

Then Rafa beats him again in Rome. This was where Ferrer was really unlucky in that first set. After that he fades and gets bagelled.

Today he comes out. Playes good the first 4 games. Has two BP’s, has his chances on those points and doesn’t fully (believe) go for it. And he fades immediately after. That game after 2 all, Ferrer hit three easy erros. That’s just mental.

After that Rafa runs away with it.

June 8th, 2012 at 8:48 am

I can buy that aura of invincibility argument. The same thing applied to federer a few years ago until he started losing to nadal more and more and started losing to lower ranked players like simon, etc.

Djokovic would have had a real shot had he made it to the finals a year ago when nadals confidence on clay/against a single player wad probably as low as its ever been. This year, not so sure.

June 8th, 2012 at 8:49 am

I am just bored stiff. Sorry. I am comatose. I might as well switch off now. Nothing to see. Snooze fest indeed.

Nirmal Kumar Says:
madmax,

I believe the below line sums up Roger’s career. For me It’s not the records which defines his career, because he has few and he does not have few.

I don’t understand what you mean Nirmal. He has few records? You are joking, right?

Michael – I know. I agree.

June 8th, 2012 at 8:49 am

Piet Says:
Nadal wasnt even doing something special. It has got that bad. He just needs to retrieve for a couple of games and wait for the other guy to implode. Boring.

June 8th, 2012 at 7:58 am

This is what it is. Just boring tennis. Boring. No artistry. Bashing, boring. Yawning.

June 8th, 2012 at 9:24 am

finish him rafa, let’s get novak and roger out here so they can finish today.

June 8th, 2012 at 9:32 am

madmax says : I don’t understand what you mean Nirmal. He has few records? You are joking, right?

Ok, I will rephrase it, Roger has many records and he also does not have many records. Hope this is fine.

June 8th, 2012 at 9:33 am

Ferrer playing pretty crappy eh? Federer better f*** off now against Novak because you won’t be able to defeat Nadal anyways. Federer is emotionally lost against Nadal on clay even before you begin the match. For once, hope Djokovic reaches the final and destroys Nadal.

June 8th, 2012 at 9:34 am

Federer is (Dumbledore), he’s the best ever but he can’t kill Voldemort (Nadal). Only Harry Potter (Djokovic) can do that.

June 8th, 2012 at 9:36 am

Actually there is greater variety and some brilliant shot making coming from Nadal in this match as opposed to prior matches. What is boring are the Skeeze/Van orten/Madmax mini-Parches writing over and over the same things about Nadal.
Really; Is that what you guys need to do to get through your lives with some peace..to ease your hate?
Kudos to the sparse Kimberlys – the Alan Colmes’ of tennis-x for being able let the same bitter spiel slide – over and over…and over again.

June 8th, 2012 at 9:38 am

I hopw we will hear about Rafa after the claycourt season. From Sunday after the final till next year Monte Carlo he wil disappear. Pulling a Houdini

June 8th, 2012 at 9:39 am

Its a joke…Murray would of played a better match…

What a freaking shame…Nadal does nothing and wins Again.

madmax Says:

This is what it is. Just boring tennis. Boring. No artistry. Bashing, boring. Yawning.

Agreed.

June 8th, 2012 at 9:39 am

Its a joke…Murray would of played a better match…

What a freaking shame…Nadal does nothing and wins Again.

This is what it is. Just boring tennis. Boring. No artistry. Bashing, boring. Yawning.

June 8th, 2012 at 9:24 am

Agreed.

June 8th, 2012 at 9:40 am

Sorry for double post

June 8th, 2012 at 9:40 am

@Wheeler

Unless you give Old Dumbledore a good dose of some felix felicis

June 8th, 2012 at 9:43 am

so i am back and ready for an exciting match!!!

June 8th, 2012 at 9:56 am

Nadal is just too good on this surface and this court. Too. Good. This year reminds me of 2008: total dominance of opponents and a sense of inevitability. It’s a little like predicting the end of the story when you are only a chapter or two into the book. I am curious to see if Rafa’s success on clay this year carries over to grass. As Daniel has pointed out before, confidence goes a long way in this sport.

June 8th, 2012 at 9:57 am

Probably the highest quality of tennis we could see is being displayed by Nadal. Not sure if any one can play better than what NAdal is playing.

It’s an absolute privilege to watch this guy play tennis.

June 8th, 2012 at 10:02 am

Ok rafa, we get it you’re really good! There were sone tremendous points by rafa, I don’t usually enjoy his beatdowns but there was some magnificent work there.

Well, I think i will just have to enjoy the second semi, with no looking forward to the final, cause scary rafa is in full force!

Now, Go Rog!

June 8th, 2012 at 10:02 am

Why are so many people making drug accusations? I don’t understand.

June 8th, 2012 at 10:04 am

Hahahaha madmax…ater I saw nadal break the spaniard dummy in 2nd set I shut the tv and went to play tennis for 1hr…thoroughly enjoyed…otherwise I wud hv been bored to death…really a good decision…so let’s see who wins the 2nd one..

June 8th, 2012 at 10:06 am

Hope the rain doesn’t come in the 2nd semi. It disturbs everything.

June 8th, 2012 at 10:08 am

@ Frank,

You do not know boring. Boring is what Fed shows in each of his dull matches unless it is against Nadal. No emotion, little phisicality. Super boring old school shit!

June 8th, 2012 at 10:09 am

@Piet: I’m in agreement with a couple of your posts above.

What’s most frustrating for me to watch when guys play Nadal is how badly their tactics or thinking or whatever collapse on break points. Ferrer had a couple BP opportunities early in the first set, and it’s amazing how badly he played them. One was admittedly a bit of a tough shot, as he was running up to a drop volley, but all he had to do was bunt it up the line because Nadal was moving to cover the cross-court pass. Ferrer tried to rip it cross-court and missed.

I think on the second break point Ferrer had a short ball that he elected to rip cross-court to avoid Nadal’s forehand. The mistake here was that Nadal wasn’t anywhere near his forehand side. Guys like Djokovic and Federer are really the only guys who think enough when playing Nadal to push him. They’ll go to his forehand, hit (sometimes) sensible dropshots, etc.

I’m convinced that the break-point conversion rate of Spanish players against Nadal is markedly lower than that of non-Spanish players against Nadal. I don’t have the data to corroborate that, but I’m going to compile it and share.

June 8th, 2012 at 10:09 am

FO should make it mandatory to have nadal play against 2 players together Per match to make it competitive

June 8th, 2012 at 10:10 am

Nirmal Kumar Says:
madmax says : I don’t understand what you mean Nirmal. He has few records? You are joking, right?

Ok, I will rephrase it, Roger has many records and he also does not have many records. Hope this is fine.

June 8th, 2012 at 9:33 am

Can you be more specific?

RSutherland

Rsutherland Says:
Actually there is greater variety and some brilliant shot making coming from Nadal in this match as opposed to prior matches. What is boring are the Skeeze/Van orten/Madmax mini-Parches writing over and over the same things about Nadal.
Really; Is that what you guys need to do to get through your lives with some peace..to ease your hate?
Kudos to the sparse Kimberlys – the Alan Colmes’ of tennis-x for being able let the same bitter spiel slide – over and over…and over again.

June 8th, 2012 at 9:38 am

Actually, if you read my posts and if you knew me, you would know that I don’t go over and over again. I have always found rafa boring. Kimberley knows that. So seriously, how long have you been here to be able to comment? We are entitled to express our views. I respect rafa. He is the best on the clay. But he is boring. Sorry if that affects your outlook on life, but don’t be surprised that people actually don’t find his game that attractive. I just don’t. Doesn’t mean he isn’t a great champion. He is. Of course he is going to win RG, but I am bored RSutherland. Just bored.

June 8th, 2012 at 10:10 am

Fedthugs and Nole worshippers. If Nadal the Great is sooooo boring (according to you) why exactly did you watch the match?

June 8th, 2012 at 10:12 am

@Wheeler please give the Felix Felicis to Roger. I cannot have Novak reaching the final, no?

June 8th, 2012 at 10:13 am

Hope it rains for the rest of the day!!!

June 8th, 2012 at 10:14 am

Are you forced to watch his boring matches?????

June 8th, 2012 at 10:15 am

Exactly Mark…why the hell they watch Rafa then.
Whenever Rafa is playing you would see that most of the people commenting are Fed fans.
Complaining that its boring and calling it as ping pong tennis.
These jobless people watch all of Rafa’s matches hoping for someone else to take him out.

June 8th, 2012 at 10:17 am

Oh sure, I am a tennis blog troll who for the most part can sift through the blog nonsense and learn some things about a sport that I love. However every once in a while I get ‘Fed’-up with your blind nonsense.

I happen to prefer Nadal because he is an overachiever (as opposed to the greater natural talent of Fed).

However, I have only ever made one disparaging comment about Federer – in jest – that he looks like he is smelling a rotten fish.
Asied from his remarkable genious, I also happen to be impressed by Fed’s knowledge of languages (although his attempt at Mandarin, an language where intonation is essential, was a disaster) as well as his humanitarian efforts.

Unlike some of you … in either camps, I have great respect for all of the greats and their achievements.

This ‘who is the GOAT’ business is nonsense. It would be better to say Greatest so Far if any of you were more concerned with accuracy rather than your own biases.
It is only for yourselves; you who obviously do not have enough accomplishments in your own lives, therefore try to take some sort of ownership in the achievements of people FAR nobler than yourselves.

OK, fine. Your lives are incomplete without Roger Federer. but really… How many times do you need to write the same complaints about Nadal ad infinitum?

June 8th, 2012 at 10:17 am

Sergi Bruguera was spot on in his comments today on Eurosport

June 8th, 2012 at 10:17 am

@Mark: I won’t answer your question as a “Fedthug” or “Nole worshipper” (whatever those mean), but I’d venture a guess and say that people who find Nadal boring watched the match because (a) it’s the semi-final of Roland Garros and (b) it’s part of being a well-informed fan of the sport.

Your comment goes both ways — people who aren’t fans of Federer and/or Djokovic will watch those matches and congregate around other themes in those players’ games that irritate them.

June 8th, 2012 at 10:18 am

A boring match starts now.
We cannot see clean tennis anymore….only hit or miss. Atleast Nole plays some consistent tennis. Federer is all about boring and low quality hit or miss tennis.

June 8th, 2012 at 10:19 am

NAdal just amazes as a player. So many people wrote him off in his earlier stages of career that we cannot last more than few years and how Roger can keep going at later stage of his career.

But counting the number of years since Rafa won his 1st slam it’s almost 7 years now and still the mighty force and good to win for another 4-5 years of slam playing tennis.

Contrary, Roger after 7 years of winning his 1st slam is in the 2nd tier category who is just a cocntendor and not a force anymore in GS.

I just can’t imagine Rafa not beating Roger’s slam count with the way he is playing tennis and scheduling his push smartly.

June 8th, 2012 at 10:19 am

Sergi said; Djokovic is the only player who believes he can win against Rafa

June 8th, 2012 at 10:19 am

ignorant!!!

June 8th, 2012 at 10:20 am

Rsutherland, you used to post here quite some time ago yes? Am I write that you are a performer?

Piet, what were his comments?

June 8th, 2012 at 10:20 am

Says a lot more about you, imo if you find yourself going back over and over again to watch boring tennis…………

Head-shake…….

June 8th, 2012 at 10:21 am

And he said that the Spanish Armada completely falters against Nadal as soon as they fail to take their first chances. “here we go again”

June 8th, 2012 at 10:21 am

Not going to watch this borrrrring match coming up!! Will see results later. Have fun.

June 8th, 2012 at 10:23 am

Forget it Piet: you already answered my question.

Versus Rafa belief is important, tactics are important, but then there is the reality that he is simply excellent on this surface.

June 8th, 2012 at 10:24 am

Right, not write, Rsutherland. Too sleepy.

June 8th, 2012 at 10:26 am

@ Jane.

He was talking about Nadal. How he kept improving as a player. His mental part, his intensity always an A. About how Roger lost against him in the beginning while at a much better level. How Nadal now surpassed that level.

And that Novak is the only player who has the game and belief that he can beat Rafa. Albeit Rafa is still the favourite this year should it be the final

June 8th, 2012 at 10:26 am

This match will be an error fest from Federer.
He plays decent tennis against weak opponents, but when he encounters quality opponents he would just start blindly taking chances without conviction and spray his shots outside the lines.

June 8th, 2012 at 10:28 am

Thanks Piet.

June 8th, 2012 at 10:29 am

I’m wondering what would be going through both players mind now during this match,having known that Rafa is through to Finals.

For Roger he would be rethinking about his FO 2008 and wondering if he can defend those games he won on that Finals. If by chance Roger gets thru, I doubt he can do better than Monacco did against NAdal.

For Novak, he would be itching to play Nadal. Novak has worked out to become an excellent 5 set player. He lacked that skill in his initial years. I think he turned that around. I still look at 50-50 if Novak gets through. Nadal played a blinder of match against Murray at Wimbledon 11. No one gave Novak a chance and it was novak’s 1st wimbledon final. We knew what happened then. And Novak was not in his super Novak form at Wimbledon. He was being laboured by Tomic and Baghdatis. I could see Novak turn it around in the finals against Nadal.

June 8th, 2012 at 10:31 am

Can you please suggest me where I can watch Fed vs Djoko match ??
Espn3 is not showing it.

June 8th, 2012 at 10:32 am

nadal played really good,he is looking scary

now we are going to see the greatest player of all time vs the world no 1.
Let see who is gonnaa win.
My bet on GOAT

June 8th, 2012 at 10:35 am

I am one of the BIG fans of Djoker and Federer who respects Nadal a lot. What’s he’s achieved, his never-say-die attitude, his hard work, his capabilities, his honest personality, his incredible mental strength. I just prefer Federer’s style of play of constant variety of shots and having to work (or giving the impression of having to work) less harder. Novak’s style is somewhere in between, it’s not the same as Federer’s natural style but tennis does appear to come to Novak quite effortlessly. I mean his groundstrokes are very fluid and effortless, whereas Nadal works hard. That Nadal works so hard physically will be viewed as an asset and plus point by many of his fans. One can also argue Novak’s style is very similar to Nadal – both have excellent defense, both can play offensively when required, both hit the ball extremely hard. In this era of hard hitting, everyone HAS to hit hard and run extremely fast I guess – Novak does that too like Nadal. But I enjoy watching Novak and Federer more. No offense to Nadal fans please. Surely we can co-exist. :) And this is just how I see their style of play, it would be interesting to hear others’ point of view too.

June 8th, 2012 at 10:38 am

Rain, rain, go away!

I got up early hoping to catch the first hour (I have to be somewhere in about 50 minutes from now) and now it looks like I won’t even be able to do that!

June 8th, 2012 at 10:42 am

Rain rain stay!!

June 8th, 2012 at 10:45 am

@Mark: What are you, like five years old? What did I ever do to you?

June 8th, 2012 at 10:46 am

Knowing the forecast, they should have either started at 11:00 like they did throughout the event, and that way at least Fed/Nole would’ve got in a set or two before this delay, or they could have considered putting Fed and Nole on Lenglen. I guess they are thinking of viewers, but what difference would starting at 11 versus 1 have made? Sigh.

June 8th, 2012 at 10:49 am

Wow! Ferrer wins in 4? How can this be?

June 8th, 2012 at 10:51 am

Almost impossible and very difficult

June 8th, 2012 at 10:52 am

I like both Novak and Fed. But I hope Novak gets through. What point to watch another Fedal where the outcome is know before the match starts.

Roger had his chances in 05-07 where he should have beaten him at least once. Now it will just be a drubbing with Nadal improved and Roger too old (and inconsistent) for a physical match.

Novak can make it at least a match. Who knows. Maybe Nadal will feel the pressure in that match.

Who has more to win and who has more to lose of the 2 guys? That’s an interesting question.

June 8th, 2012 at 10:52 am

I want the same result – Djoker should win so he can complete his career Grand Slam, win 4 in a row along with the prospect of winning the Olympics this year too.

June 8th, 2012 at 10:58 am

@ Jane ; so true. Those French organisers are so dumb sometimes. Two semi finals at 13:00h with lots of rain showers predicted. Good vision in light until 21:00h – 21:30h ; with two possible long matches of 3-4 hours and time for preparing and in between. That leaves a time frame for rain of about…… 5 minutes. Duh!

They took quite a risk. Even with the Nadal match only at 1:45h it will get tight to finish today. Unless it’s a drubbing by either guy.

June 8th, 2012 at 10:58 am

Good morning skeeze.

Good to see you early here.

June 8th, 2012 at 10:59 am

Suddenly, it’s all sunny and dry. Supposedly it will remain so all day.

June 8th, 2012 at 11:00 am

this mark idiot is very irritating….very unfair that fedex -djoker is starting so late…neways there is 1% chance and even that is 0% if the match starts late!

June 8th, 2012 at 11:01 am

Although Roger has waiting for Olympics so long and we don’t know if he will be around by 2016 Olympics, so Roger should win them.

June 8th, 2012 at 11:02 am

Come on fed fans !!!
Fasten your seat belts….we have a lot of work to do now.
Start listing down the excuses…..
I can think of rain, sun, cold/hot weather, dry/humid air, slippery court, bad back, leg issues, hand issues, etc.

And thats not all….we have more work to do….in the finals we have to come up with another list of excuses on behalf of Nole.

June 8th, 2012 at 11:02 am

what is going on with eurosport!?P??????? they started playing already and still they show tsonga djoker???? cannot believe it

June 8th, 2012 at 11:03 am

f…ing idiots!!!! eurosport my a$$$$$

June 8th, 2012 at 11:05 am

Congratulation rafa, you keep the business as usual, vamos rafa, I can go to sleep now,

June 8th, 2012 at 11:06 am

@Piet: interesting question indeed, also from a rankings perspective.

If Federer wins, he protects his points from last year and gives himself another shot at a title. But, protecting his points means that, unless he wins the title, he’ll remain #3 (likely) going into Wimbledon. So, if he beats Djokovic but loses in the finals, rankings would be:

1. Djokovic: 11,080
2. Nadal: 10,060
3. Federer: 9,790

If he loses, it’s conceivable that Djokovic beats Nadal on Sunday, which would bump Federer back up ahead of Nadal in the rankings. It would put Federer, in absolute terms, further from Djokovic in the rankings, but it could possibly put him in better contention to go further at Wimbledon. So, if he loses to Djokovic AND Djokovic beats Nadal:

1. Djokovic: 12,360
2. Federer: 9,310
3. Nadal: 9,260

Obviously, worst case scenario here for Federer is that he loses today and Nadal wins on Sunday:

1. Djokovic: 11,560
2. Nadal: 10,060
3. Federer: 9,260

Most interesting (but least likely) is Federer winning the title:

1. Djokovic: 11,080
2. Federer: 10,590
3. Nadal: 9,260

I assume Federer will give his all today to win, as it would be important for him to protect his points from last and make a real push at Wimbledon.

June 8th, 2012 at 11:09 am

Hit or miss tennis from Federror has started.

June 8th, 2012 at 11:09 am

Unfair conditions again. Aside Nadal’s cakewalk in the semis, Đoković-Fed are probably gonna have to return tomorrow to finish the match.

And yet again, Nadal will have the advantage in the finals, no matter who he plays.

June 8th, 2012 at 11:13 am

@Fleischer: yes, and since I’m not sure where you’ve been for the past decade, you probably haven’t realized that Federer has pretty much always played matches on his own terms (as you say, hit or miss tennis). This would be a style of play different from, say, a more defensive approach…

June 8th, 2012 at 11:15 am

Roger Federer Fan,

Was waiting for you to come out, you usually do after a Rafa nearly impossible and very difficult win. Go back in your hole now Fed will play soon and am sure you will sleep that off. Hehe….

Btw lets not get in excuse wars with your Love, you’ll lose that one. Double hehe….

June 8th, 2012 at 11:15 am

Federer with the early break.

June 8th, 2012 at 11:17 am

wow,Fed starts reallyyy well!

June 8th, 2012 at 11:18 am

Why why does Novak play less aggressive against Federer? Anyone sense that?

June 8th, 2012 at 11:18 am

feel i was entitled to a low stress morning after last night

June 8th, 2012 at 11:20 am

Federror’s hits brought him a break and his misses takes that away.

Really funny low quality tennis.
LOL

June 8th, 2012 at 11:22 am

back on serve

June 8th, 2012 at 11:22 am

3 forehand errors in a row!!!

June 8th, 2012 at 11:22 am

Again! I’m just leaving and wtf is this? Tennis channel, Espn2, and NBC Not showing the 2nd semi???
!
dipshits…….all of them!!! I see I set my DVR at 11:00 am. 11 am is when they’ll rerun the semi……Freaking idiots!

Thank the gods there is Live STREAMIng in FOREIGN languages!!!

disgusting………

June 8th, 2012 at 11:23 am

definite hit or miss on Rog’s FH today so far

June 8th, 2012 at 11:23 am

Okay now Nole’s playing aggressive. That’s how I like it.

June 8th, 2012 at 11:24 am

fed did his job again to bring nole back!!!!

June 8th, 2012 at 11:24 am

conty—im watching on NBC

June 8th, 2012 at 11:25 am

LOL….Federror is really a funny player

June 8th, 2012 at 11:27 am

…vamos 2 aces very good !!!

June 8th, 2012 at 11:28 am

Wow, Fed managed to line up one of the best forehands in the open with one of the worst ones right behind it. How did he net that one?!?!?!

June 8th, 2012 at 11:28 am

They’re producing some pretty damn beautiful tennis, though, despite some of Federer’s insane errors!

June 8th, 2012 at 11:29 am

I just can’t imagine Roger have to play such high quality tennis just to win a point. It’s impossible to sustain this level to beat Novak.

June 8th, 2012 at 11:30 am

Yeah…blame the surface for that mis hit

June 8th, 2012 at 11:31 am

77% 1st serves for Nole so far, that’s pretty damn good. 57% for Fed, that’s a bit shaky.

June 8th, 2012 at 11:32 am

MIssed Rafa’s match. Can’t find highlights on youtube. Roger making some errors, Novak much more solid.

June 8th, 2012 at 11:33 am

I get a feeling Novak will break here to take the set. YAY.

June 8th, 2012 at 11:34 am

The match looks more like Heavy weight vs Light Weight.

June 8th, 2012 at 11:34 am

Federror’s lottery tennis gave him a break….but took away two breaks and also the set.

June 8th, 2012 at 11:35 am

Roger seems to have no clue how to play Novak now. He looks bamboozled now.

June 8th, 2012 at 11:36 am

C’mon Fed!!!! I want to see how Nadal is beating your ass in the final again. I miss it so much:(

June 8th, 2012 at 11:36 am

nice job federer …20 mishits with his forehand…bad day…again he needs to come back…but his forhand is super off…

June 8th, 2012 at 11:36 am

Roger’s game depends a lot on how he’s serving. And with low % of first serves (close to 50%), his game starts making too many errors.

June 8th, 2012 at 11:37 am

Unfortunately Fed has no clue what the fuck he is doing!

June 8th, 2012 at 11:37 am

there are some things that are very hard to understand sometimes when you see roger play..those were all errors totally without sense!!!! but ok…ce la vi

June 8th, 2012 at 11:38 am

Dory, can’t you realise that Roger is having a bad back today. That’s the reason for his low 1st % count. You heard it here first.

June 8th, 2012 at 11:39 am

bad day? no that is the reality. Fed is confused as hell. He should have lost against Delpo.

June 8th, 2012 at 11:40 am

the level of fed like vs delpo first set

June 8th, 2012 at 11:41 am

great point

June 8th, 2012 at 11:42 am

queen shut up and go screw your friends.

June 8th, 2012 at 11:42 am

Now that was some rally.

June 8th, 2012 at 11:42 am

One of the best rallies of the open!! 36 hits.

June 8th, 2012 at 11:43 am

I wasn’t judging by the number of hits, but it’s insane how the quality of that rally just picked up and up all the way to the end.

June 8th, 2012 at 11:44 am

Some would say it was ping pong like. ;)

June 8th, 2012 at 11:44 am

this match will be shorter than Nadal-Ferrer. LOL

June 8th, 2012 at 11:44 am

I think mono is coming back again….so sad.
If not for mono…Federer would have won 32 slams by now.

June 8th, 2012 at 11:44 am

nice game by Federer, a few terrific points

June 8th, 2012 at 11:44 am

Roger breaks to start the set. Not it’s time for Novak to step up and win next 3 games.

June 8th, 2012 at 11:44 am

Wheeler Says:
queen shut up and go screw your friends.

WHEEL OFF!

June 8th, 2012 at 11:45 am

Roger’s totally capable of losing his serve right here. His focus seems to have become a problem over the past few years. He hasn’t given up on this match, though, still very much there!

June 8th, 2012 at 11:45 am

Roger Federer Fan Says:
I think mono is coming back again….so sad.
If not for mono…Federer would have won 32 slams by now.

JOKE OF THE YEAR!!

June 8th, 2012 at 11:47 am

Just as I was thinking Djokovic is playing a good tennis, almost flawless, he gets broken in 2nd set opening game. Credit to Federer, who’s never looked better in this event. Yet, I think Djokovic has a fair shot at winning this and playing Rafa fir the once-in-a-life-time prize, which most likely may not come by again.

June 8th, 2012 at 11:50 am

Nirmal I suppose you from India. A confused country with very confused citizens. Ever heard of the Rumble in the Jungle. Djoker will knock himself out. Novak who is your Daddy

June 8th, 2012 at 11:50 am

Roger breaks again. Looks like Novak is taking some breather. After the long rally he is looking bit spent. Probably he needs another 10 mins to get his energy back.

June 8th, 2012 at 11:51 am

O dear I hope Nole doesn’t lose set 2.

June 8th, 2012 at 11:52 am

Noogie,

Great comment.

This is what I love about Fed fans…no matter what we will never spare anyone who does not worship Federer…..we can even go to the level of racial slurs.

June 8th, 2012 at 11:53 am

WHAT A RETURN!!!!

June 8th, 2012 at 11:53 am

Maso you are right. Federer loses his focus very quickly these days.

June 8th, 2012 at 11:53 am

fed is capable losing this set …incredible…do not know what to say about his performance…this is worse than ever

June 8th, 2012 at 11:54 am

For sure, Dory, it’s one of Fed’s main issues these days. Novak got back one of those breaks in a heartbeat. To his credit, there was a fabulous return or two in there.

June 8th, 2012 at 11:55 am

he will get broken for the second time in a few minutes..very sad performance!!!!

June 8th, 2012 at 11:55 am

Nole taking a page from Tsonga’s book in that Rog’s service game ;)

June 8th, 2012 at 11:55 am

why do these TT trolls come over here to post? Immature little sandbox sand throwers not enough sand in the sandbox on TT and not enough fedfans to troll on TT these days? aw, that’s sad.

no Kimberly, in my time zone NBC is showing the Today show and I have lemon sport on….yikes, should be gone but post-poned an appt. ’cause this is a real tennis match!

June 8th, 2012 at 11:56 am

Looks like Novak got his breathe back. Breaks and holds easily.

June 8th, 2012 at 11:56 am

Yes those two returns were incredible. The advantages of having the best return game in tennis – you can quickly win back your lost serves.

June 8th, 2012 at 11:56 am

fabulous return and fabulous forehand misfiring by mr. federer

June 8th, 2012 at 11:57 am

Roger better be wise and try to break Novak now. He just needs to treat this is as the most important game inn this match and give his all.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:01 pm

Nirmal, Fed is about to go none years afyer his firs Slam. He won Slam from 2003 to 2010

June 8th, 2012 at 12:03 pm

OK looks like Fedski picked up his slack.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:05 pm

Now Novak’s gone mad. Playing like crap for no reason and almost surrendering the 2nd set.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:06 pm

Not sure if Roger is playing with any inspiration. He just dumps a mid court BH into the net on breakpoint. Ridiculous.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:07 pm

cannot believe what i am seeing…what is wrong with federer…3 bp vs nole and now????? wait for the re-break now!!!! this is too much already to bear…what a easy backhand on 3rd bp….unexcusable

June 8th, 2012 at 12:08 pm

Thankfully he didn’t get broken again. Now Nole just needs to break once again.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:08 pm

In my language “Conty” means little v@gina. So Conty shut your lips

June 8th, 2012 at 12:09 pm

and a´nother forehand miss…and another and another,,…come on…

June 8th, 2012 at 12:10 pm

Daniel, So Roger’s slam years were 7. Not sure if he can win any more. Atleast looking at today’s match so far, it does not inspire any confidence.

Not that he is not having the game, but he looks so confused and does not trust his tennis. He thinks he needs to do too much and just flouders. It really baffles me.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:11 pm

WTA tennis………….

June 8th, 2012 at 12:13 pm

So, Novak breaks again. Something what I said before .

June 8th, 2012 at 12:13 pm

They showed the UEs: Djok: 4 Fed: 18.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:14 pm

my nickname is contador…”conty” for short but my guess is your phoenix, Noogie, or jean, one of those most immature idiots fowl mouthed anti-feds from over there. much more fertile trolling here for you. wow so big and superior you are!

June 8th, 2012 at 12:15 pm

hahahahahahahhhahhahahahahahahhahah

what a joke ….this is so predictable…incredible…but nole wins this set..and not even he expected such a performance by fed…from 2:4 15:40 to 5:4 in 8 minutes…wow wow ..not digestable

June 8th, 2012 at 12:15 pm

WTF IS GOING ON.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:17 pm

i suppose it is a bad day…no one but no one can say it is because nole is superior or anything ,..fed is dictating completly the match..with his errors

June 8th, 2012 at 12:17 pm

Noogie Says:
In my language “Conty” means little v@gina. So Conty shut your lips

HA HA HA. Love it! In my language
“Federer” means little v@gina LOL

June 8th, 2012 at 12:17 pm

Novak’s gone all weak on holding his serve.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:18 pm

Weird game. The 1st set was quite strong, but now they keep breaking each other back and forth. It seems like they’re both playing nervously, which is odd for such seasoned veterans that are, on top of it, used to playing each other in GS semis. Fed can still get this set.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:18 pm

Anyone wanna bet it’s going to be 5-5 now? :P

June 8th, 2012 at 12:18 pm

yes because you have gutter language and little brains. queen and noogie TT Trolls

June 8th, 2012 at 12:19 pm

Holy crap, that was a hell of a rally too.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:19 pm

Why can’t Roger come to net. He is taking Novak so far out of the court, but still stays back. He should have seen how he played against Novak last year.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:21 pm

I think what is happening is that Nole is making errors because Fed plays faster than anyone else. And Fed is making his usual errors he makes these days. So that’s evening out their serves, breaking each other.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:22 pm

WTA

June 8th, 2012 at 12:22 pm

Goddamn your forehand UEs Roger!!

June 8th, 2012 at 12:23 pm

Geez it looks like a women’s match. Neither can hold serve…..

June 8th, 2012 at 12:23 pm

service games break/ rebreak

June 8th, 2012 at 12:23 pm

Its like watching WTA.
Service breaks are more than holds.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:24 pm

ok guys this is not explainable..there is something with federer today i have never seeen in such level…very hard to watch,.djoker does not believe how many chances he get to be back in the match…the match is over!!!!

June 8th, 2012 at 12:24 pm

conty Says:
yes because you have gutter language and little brains. queen and noogie TT Trolls

TT Trolls? What you watching Disney channels?

June 8th, 2012 at 12:24 pm

at least in the first semifinal ,only one was impotent ,now there are 2 of them playing

June 8th, 2012 at 12:25 pm

It’s not so uncommon on clay to have so many breaks of serve, though, nature of the surface. They are pushing it a bit far here, though.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:25 pm

Isn’t Fed rushing a bit too much? He needs to play carefully, he’s playing too fast to make a decent shot.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:26 pm

wow and he keeps doin it..he just cannot stop…but he is human,.that many chances not taken..means nole is so into his head right now..like a bullet

June 8th, 2012 at 12:26 pm

But some rallies are just pure beauty

June 8th, 2012 at 12:26 pm

He wants to cut the rallies short, Dory. Back in the day, he’d play like this and it would always work. It seems he hasn’t gotten used to being the new sloppier Roger. Understandable, though, being the never-missing Roger of old must have felt a lot better! =)

June 8th, 2012 at 12:27 pm

Start it off with a DF, won’t you…

June 8th, 2012 at 12:28 pm

Novak owns Federer. It’s his match to lose, as always

June 8th, 2012 at 12:28 pm

Well the result is desirable for me. I don’t want to watch Fed losing to Rafa again for the nth time, I have lost count of how many times I have been heartbroken. Novak can at least potentially defeat Rafa.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:28 pm

I unfortunately agree with you Dory. I’ve watched Federer get his ass handed to him by Nadal in RG finals enough, I know it’s not gonna happen. If he does win today, I’ll still be hoping he finally manages to get that victory but I can’t really believe in it. Novak, if he plays his absolute best, might be able to do something come Sunday but he hasn’t produced that level these past 2 weeks.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:30 pm

2-0 Novak. Go Nole! Twitter is getting crazy #rolandgarros :)

June 8th, 2012 at 12:31 pm

Lottery tennis will only work against midgets like Roddick, Bagdatis, Gonzales, etc

June 8th, 2012 at 12:32 pm

I think Novak is Slams always is different from Novak in masters and the way he played at Aussie Open, tomorrow he will beat Nadal again. He’s very hungry for creating history.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:32 pm

Madmax, you know I love Fed’s tennis but, really want Djodal final!

June 8th, 2012 at 12:32 pm

In a way it’s sad to watch. Roger is such a step down from his old / best level. But that’s what age does to you. Rest assure; Nadal and Djoko will have the same some day.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:32 pm

The quality’s gone down, and the wind seems to have picked up… wonder if the two are related?

Anyway looks like Fed is going to need to find his serve to get back into the game. Last year’s semis, he served the lights out…

June 8th, 2012 at 12:32 pm

Djoko just pounding the ball from one corner to the other like there is no tomorrow. That’s all he does. Hate that guy.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:33 pm

I’m sorry to say this- and I GENUINELY am- but novak owns fed. Fed hasto play the perfect point in order to wi it, whilst novak doesn’t have to do that. I CANNOT see fed beating either him or rafa at a slam at all. Shame. :(

June 8th, 2012 at 12:33 pm

Sean, you think Federer can come back from 0-2? Really? At this day and age?

June 8th, 2012 at 12:33 pm

Nadal – Djokovic 4 times in a row in slam finals… that would be absolutely UNREAL but it looks like we’re going straight there. It was already unreal when Nadal and Federer were in so many RG and Wimbledon finals, but this is nuts.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:33 pm

Up TWO breaks,and he loses the set?!

Novak isn’t quite all there anyway, so maybe roger still has a chance

June 8th, 2012 at 12:33 pm

Mark Says:
Fedthugs and Nole worshippers. If Nadal the Great is sooooo boring (according to you) why exactly did you watch the match?

June 8th, 2012 at 10:12 am

Mark, it’s kind of a toss up. Who is the more boring. You or watching rafa play boring tennis against players who give up before they start.

Contador, you are correct. Nadline (nadalista), and her trolls are here. They get bored over there now. Ignore. But they won’t go away.

Actually, whoever wins today, good luck because I hope that the finals will be a slug fest and surprise everyone.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:34 pm

Ah well, I bet all those Fedfans who were complaining about being boooooored by Rafa’s match are drooling at this FINE display of FINE tennis by Roger………….

Ah well, each to his poison…………

June 8th, 2012 at 12:34 pm

Fed seems MENTALLY ruined now- I think those back to bal USO losses have nailed his confidence against novak!

June 8th, 2012 at 12:36 pm

i hope everybody even nole fans or fed haters will accept that this could have been a great match but federer is not present today and it is a real shame that fed is not contributing for a class match..congrats to nole he plays solid as always..worst match i have seen by fed,..broke my heart so far

June 8th, 2012 at 12:41 pm

Am I just biased or is this match not near the quality of last year or us open. Novak will raise his game in the final, still like rafa chances but I think it’s going to be a six hour slugfest and an epic historic match. Believe me part of me wants fed as I see it as the easier win but this is the right result for the sport of tennis.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:41 pm

You’re not biased, Kimberly. Last year’s RG semi between Fed and Nole was a fabulous match. The US Open too, though I can’t help but feel that Roger lacked some focus to finish that match like he should have. Today’s match has been quite sloppy with some occasional moments of brilliance.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:43 pm

Tense weekend in sports for moi with no break, sharapova, heat game 7, rafa.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:43 pm

Djoker winning almost 50% of 1st serve return pts. that = fed getting ground into hamburger meat.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:44 pm

Is it s a surprise considering federer’s struggles this tourny? I mean EVEN goffin was tough for him.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:45 pm

Is it s a surprise considering federer’s struggles this tourny? I mean EVEN goffin was tough for him.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:45 pm

This is going to be a djodal final, please Nole. at least it’s something different and we’ll get a new FO final.

Unfortunately, not sure about Nole v Rafa. Maybe very tough…5 sets.

Feddy go rest up for the rest of the summer. :D

If, Djokovic can get this done in 3, it’s a good thing. Neither have their best tennis going on, though.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:46 pm

Hope fed wins this set for his self esteem.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:46 pm

I’m gonna have to .go along with Kimberley and hope that this horrendous loss by fed is for the greater tennis good for a great match tomorrow. Theres gotta be a justification for losing a set two breaks up!
And no, there’s no bias, this match is no where near the level of last year- its hard to imagine it could be!

June 8th, 2012 at 12:46 pm

Fair enough, Brando, but I thought he’d raise his level of game for the semis against Novak. And it seemed he had at the beginning of the first and second sets, but he can’t maintain that level of play over long periods of time anymore.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:46 pm

Kimberley, you are right. I feel that Federer is thinking too far ahead.

I remember one of the interviews he gave (was it last year?),no, it was when he lost to Novak in 2010 at the USOpen, he said he was thinking too much of the final against rafa.

Federer is not in this game, and I am bored. Bored by this. Nadalista, you must be bored with the conversation over on Troll Tennis, try to be a bit classier here will you. You are not in good company.

Sean, Fed is off today. For sure, but I don’t mind. His QF 32 is a rocket to me. Love that. I think he is just giving novak a warm up. He has reached his SF, he will save energy for the grass tournament and no one, not novak, or nadal will touch him.

It’s strange but Conty, his losses do absolutely NOT hurt anymore. That’s a good feeling. Federer has given me so much as a fan.

Hope Novak does it in straights and gives rafa a run for his money on Sunday.

Just bored.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:46 pm

Unforced errors: Djo: 13 Fed: 40 !!!!!!!!!!

June 8th, 2012 at 12:48 pm

@conty: BUT that’s the bad news for fed- probably losing in straights when novak isn’t at his best.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:48 pm

we could have had a great match with fed winning the second set…but the stars or whatever are vs fed today …the crowd is shocked

June 8th, 2012 at 12:48 pm

Brando Says:
Is it s a surprise considering federer’s struggles this tourny? I mean EVEN goffin was tough for him.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:45 pm

Brando Says:
Is it s a surprise considering federer’s struggles this tourny? I mean EVEN goffin was tough for him.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:45 pm

Yeah Brando, I suppose you are right. Having played 1020 matches as opposed to 1, I guess is going to make a bit of a difference.

Well spotted.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:49 pm

awful from federer. just awful.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:49 pm

Hey Brando, can you stop posting twice? We heard you the first time. Guess you are bored too?

June 8th, 2012 at 12:50 pm

Fed is -19 in errors to winners- TELLS the story me thinks! As I said pre match, novak’s serve has been better than rogers in this tourny and he’s also played better. No surprise for me.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:51 pm

I don’t think Federer played bad entire tourney. Only this match. We know his overall level has declined though and he’s in his sunset of his career.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:52 pm

i would be happy if fed steals a set.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:52 pm

@madmax: I’m not bored- I’m just sorry seeing fed unravel like this.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:53 pm

@sean Randall: not too sure about wimby for fed now. He’s lost to rafa, tsonga, berdych there. On this display, I reckon novak can join that club too- defending champion after all. Maybe even Murray- too many IMHO who can rake him down now. Time will tell though….

June 8th, 2012 at 12:55 pm

the shankytiville horror

June 8th, 2012 at 12:56 pm

EPIC FH shank by fed there!

June 8th, 2012 at 12:56 pm

@madmax,

I’m glad I hit a nerve…………you troll

June 8th, 2012 at 12:57 pm

@racquet: Soo true unfortunately:-(

June 8th, 2012 at 12:58 pm

Guys, I have been watching Roger for past 13 years. Trust me, He is tanking this match.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:58 pm

Guys, I have been watching Roger for past 13 years. Trust me, He is tanking this match.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:58 pm

@Madmax. Living up to your name again and again!!! You are the troll!!

June 8th, 2012 at 12:59 pm

5-2 up in the third, seems like we’re gonna get another Nadal-Djokovic final. If Nole brings the ruckus on Sunday, we could be up for a show. If not, Rafa will be without mercy.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:59 pm

I have no more expectations for Federer, Madmax. None at all. Always love him. Personal goat for me 2003-2007.

But I liked Djokovic and saw him as Federer’s successor as an all court, all season player, vs Nadal, except on clay. Nadal just started winning FO so early. And now his knee treatments look to be continuing to be effective 3 years after he lost to Soda pop. Which is a good thing – but Rafa not as good as Nole at US Open, AO, and we’ll see at Wimbledon. I expect Rafa to bag 3 or 4 more FO’s.And a couple more Wimbledon’s.

June 8th, 2012 at 12:59 pm

wow ,,.what do you think guys..ever seen fed playing worse??? not to take anything from djoker but with fed playing normal form we would have been in for a tight 4-5 setter!!!!!!!! a pity he could n t serve it out…it was obvious he would lose after the break at 5:4

June 8th, 2012 at 12:59 pm

do not count federer out for wimbledon,.conditions today were super slow ..big plus for djoker so with his serve clicking at wimby everything is possible

June 8th, 2012 at 1:00 pm

Match point Novak Đoković

June 8th, 2012 at 1:01 pm

Looks like a straight setter win for nole.fedfans better root for nole now at least the guy have a chance of beating rafa. wait, you all hated nole before, right? what the heck, go for it anyway.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:01 pm

LMFAO- I CANNOT believe that dropped in! Everythings going with novak now- poor fed!

June 8th, 2012 at 1:01 pm

nadalista Says:
@madmax,

I’m glad I hit a nerve…………you troll

June 8th,2012 at 12:57 pm

Nadline, Gosh, I didn’t realise you missed conversation so much – with yourself! Enjoy it.

Nirmal,

Terrible match from Roger. Am disappointed, but not surprised. It’s the right result for the final. Honestly. As for tanking, I think that is too strong a word, but I suspect he does not feel the passion in this match as much as he did against Delpo, Novak should just finish the match now so we can move on. I really am bored.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:01 pm

Oops, I was wrong, it was 30-30

June 8th, 2012 at 1:01 pm

djoker is a big champion who delivered normal form today..enough to beat sloppy fed…hope he plays good vs nadal at least

June 8th, 2012 at 1:03 pm

I have not heard federer shout Come on! once in this match. Therefore, I know he doesn’t want to win it. His shoulders are down. Just look at teh body language, it speaks volumes.

Sorry for the fed fans for today. But Happy for the novak fans.

I think he is the only one who can give nadal a match right now, even though, I don’t expect Novak to win.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:03 pm

According to 70% of Tennis-x readers, the Arrogant One will win the French. LOL.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:04 pm

just to have a great final…we need djoker to play great

June 8th, 2012 at 1:04 pm

@Van Orten:

have i seen federer play worse than this? YES

have i seen him play this bad at a GS SF/ F? NO.

scoreline wise RG 08 final was bad, BUT at least rafa was on fire. Here novaks playing good, BUT fed is awful.

re wimby: IMHO fed display at RG was always going to affect what he does at wimby, and considering this it’s not looking good. hope he changes it…

June 8th, 2012 at 1:05 pm

fed would have lost vs tsonga in that form really…so it is ok

June 8th, 2012 at 1:05 pm

2 Match points for Nole now. Go Nole!

June 8th, 2012 at 1:05 pm

Congrats to Nole. He deserves to be in the final and played through a tough draw. Tested and ready.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:06 pm

@madmax

I am enjoying your misery………..troll.

Are you bored enough, watching boring Fed tennis? I mean, you said it…….you are bored by this.

Hehehehe…….

June 8th, 2012 at 1:06 pm

Congrats to Novak for his first ever French final. Tremendous run.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:07 pm

Nole getting better and better! sure Fed’s helping but like what I’m seeing more from Djokovic. He has some nerves serving.

yesssssssssss!!!

June 8th, 2012 at 1:07 pm

This time I think the match is on nadal’s racket. Hope he takes it.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:08 pm

Thank God it’s over! True tennis fans can watch clay court tennis on Sunday.

Bored Fedfans will of course switch off………….

June 8th, 2012 at 1:08 pm

he had his chances didnt take them…i feel sorry for the crowd..how many did applaud for djoker ,..they wanted more they deserved more…hope fed regroups…wasnt his day…he couldnt focus and gifted nole the break when serving for the second set that could have changed everything…
congrats nole,..now go and play like a champ vs nadal

June 8th, 2012 at 1:09 pm

His French is good! Nole!

June 8th, 2012 at 1:09 pm

Doing a studio recording on Sunday, can’t believe I’m going to miss the final…

June 8th, 2012 at 1:09 pm

go to h…nadalista

June 8th, 2012 at 1:10 pm

GOAT on the line on Friday. But your Humble Highness would love to do the Arrotards a favor on Sunday.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:10 pm

Congrats to novak, he has his chance at history.

As for Roger, I will have to accept the fact that he played garbage this whole tournament and move on to the next one. I’m not used to Roger being so “ordinary” !

Anyway, both semis were a bust, hope novak and rafa bring it tomorrow, with novak bringing a little bit more of “it” if possible ;)

June 8th, 2012 at 1:11 pm

French is so hard. thank the tennis gods for Nole!

June 8th, 2012 at 1:11 pm

Well, I am very , very disappointed in this match. Bored by both matches. Seriously. Federer did not play god like in any way. Novak was great, not brilliant, but just did enough to win. Crappy game. No pace or passion from Roger today. No mixing up of his game.

Not a tank, but really, not a match or the type of match I expect from my guy.

Please, let’s hope for a great match on sunday, otherwise I will be even more bored, although there will be some entertainment from the TTrollers here. That’s always a joy to read!

June 8th, 2012 at 1:12 pm

even nole fans are shocked about the lack of focus in crucial moments by fed..his forehand errors when the match was even cost him dearly…

June 8th, 2012 at 1:12 pm

POSITIVES for nvak going into the final:

1- close to ZERO energy expended today- almost a walkover really considering pre match i- just like most- expected a classic encounter.

2- he can play BETTER- always helps

3- 0-7 v rafa- good for SELF BELIEF

NEGATIVES:

1- still NOT at A GAME- to beat rafa he DEFINATELY needs it

2- rafa seems ON FIRE- check todays SF scoreline for instance…..

3- rafa SEEMS cool and calm against novak now- not jittery like last year

All in all, i’ll probably say 55- 45 in rafa’s favour……

June 8th, 2012 at 1:13 pm

what about that nole wins his 4th in a row and fed stops him from doing his 5th at wimby…

June 8th, 2012 at 1:14 pm

We believe you @madmax,

You are BORED!!!!!

and you are BORING!!

BORE off!! Troll………

June 8th, 2012 at 1:14 pm

congrats to novak and rafa. should be a good final, but with rafa in the state he is in now, novak will have to pull rabbits out of his ass to win this thing.

feel bad for ferrer, but he certainly didn’t have the right mindset going on…but who can blame him?

roger had his chances….another horrible streak of losing breaks right after he gets them.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:14 pm

Who are they gonna cheer for tomorrow?

June 8th, 2012 at 1:15 pm

@Dari:

”As for Roger, I will have to accept the fact that he played garbage this whole tournament and move on to the next one. I’m not used to Roger being so “ordinary” !

SPOT ON assessment for me re roger!

June 8th, 2012 at 1:16 pm

please do not come with the age card on feds performance today…had nothing to do with age just focus and right decicions when serving up 5:4 in the second..nole hit the line facing breakpoint at 2:4 with the linesman calling it out…corrected by the umpire…that point was the turning point and decided the match in the end

June 8th, 2012 at 1:16 pm

Sean Randall Says:
Well, unfortunately that went according to form. Both guys were playing like crap coming in, both played like crap today.

Except Djokovic played a higher level of crap if that’s possible. And he wins. Ugly.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:10 pm

Yep Sean. I happen to agree.

Nadline, we, the fed fans, just get bored by you and your never ending search to find friends on the internet and let’s face it, with your language, there is a site called livehunter, God the language is appalling, you would do well over there. Spend some time with that tennis family, and stop worrying about the fed fans, seriously, we can enjoy the fed whilst he is here. You, on the other hand, need a life babycakes.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:17 pm

@Sean Randall:

”Brando, positives for Federer: Match is over, grass is next”

LOL, SO TRUE!

June 8th, 2012 at 1:18 pm

ignore her, madmax. not worth it. the woman has no life posting her life away on every tennis blog for Rafa – ‘post’ is what she manages to do on TT. She comes here with her minions to ‘troll’ tx.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:18 pm

What a disappointing match, both its result and its tennis. At least Rafa is playing well, I guess – didn’t see the Ferrer match, but 62 62 61? Nice, Rafa, nice.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:19 pm

BORED, BORED, BORED!!!

June 8th, 2012 at 1:21 pm

Djokovic was simply the more steady and consistent player today, so well done to him. He won 44% of Federer’s first-serve points, which is exceptional. Given that Federer served only 56% first serves, I’m not particularly surprised at the score line. Throw in ~ 50 unforced errors, and I’m almost surprised it was as close in the score as it was.

Djokovic should be fresh for Sunday (to say nothing of Nadal), so hopefully Novak can clean up his game a bit and give us some real entertainment on Sunday.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:21 pm

@Van Orten:

THANK YOU. the age thing is annoying when folks bring it up.

Granted it does affect a player- no doubt as in life. But when fed beats a player he’s a magician, when he loses- oh well he’s over 30 etc… give me break!

Credit to novak- he was solid today. BUT seans right, fed was just poor today.

at their best NIETHER would have won in straight sets today IMHO!

June 8th, 2012 at 1:22 pm

Sean,

Yes they both played like crap on crap. Rafa plays better like crap on crap than anyone else :)

June 8th, 2012 at 1:22 pm

Djokovic said after the match that Rafa is a big favourite since he only lost 2 matches at RG. :) He is probably anticipating final ;)

June 8th, 2012 at 1:23 pm

I am going over to TT now, too many Rafa fans here

June 8th, 2012 at 1:23 pm

fed at roland garros 2012 is history now move on to grass…and nole will beat nadal not because i want him to do so …but he will …just believe his ego is sky high now and wants nadals last fortress so badly…an epic 5 setter would be awesome!!!

djoker still believes he can beat nadal after all on clay,..so we will see what happens…but do not expect a 3 hours match!!!

June 8th, 2012 at 1:23 pm

(@madmax: I’ll side with conty here. Ignoring, while hard to do at times, is the best course. As you can see, there are more than a couple of people on here whose “posts” lack, um, substance? I’ll direct you to a recent posting at 1.21p, for example. Anyway, take the high road, as they say.)

June 8th, 2012 at 1:24 pm

I am so happy for Nole! I didn’t know if he could win today, but he is through and gains about 1000 points, which is good because he has sooo much more to defend.

madmax i think Fed shouted one “come on” when he went up a double break in the second set. :)

Kind of amazing to me that Nole came back there, as I don’t think many players would’ve won that second set down a double break to Fed.

Anyhow, a Rafa and Nole slam final again! Have any two players met more than these two? This will be #33.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:27 pm

HEY JAMIE
Guess what? You were wrong. Got anymore predictions?

June 8th, 2012 at 1:27 pm

the way things are at the moment i hope ONE OFF murray, Del potro or tsonga STEP UP at either wimby or USO this year!

Fed seems to having taken a massive dent on his belief today, its a rafole for the 4th slam, YET we need sometihng to make us belief that a change could occur.

i REALLY LIKED what delpo showed here- IMO IF his knee is fine by USO, then your looking at a major threat.

Same with ALI- IF he has MPs against novak- the world no.1- on clay, then he CAN WIN wimby or uso- hope he beliefs it.

Andy? some day, some time he’ll step up.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:27 pm

Lendl-Mcenroe 36 times
Becker-edberg 35 times
Sampras -Agassi ,Connors McEnroe 34 times

June 8th, 2012 at 1:28 pm

I could see Tsonga winning Wimbly if the stars all aligned for it. He’s definitely got the game, but his focus is sometimes lacking. If he can keep it together for 7 matches, though, why not? Del Potro would be a major threat to everyone if his body could hold up. I seriously hope it does.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:29 pm

@jane: if Novak loses in the finals, he’ll gain 480 points. If he wins, he’ll gain 1,280. Remember that he’s defending 720 points from last year’s SF appearance.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:30 pm

If anyone can beat Nadal at the French, it’s Novak. I just wish Federer put up more of a fight.

I’d say this match is 50/50. Djokovic has beaten Nadal in clay finals before, so he can do it again. And he’s beaten Nadal in the last 3 GS finals in a row. That’s gotta be in his head.

If Djokovic wins the French, he’ll hold all 4 slams at once, the first to do so since Laver in 69. He hasn’t done it in the same calendar year, but if he does win the French I think he will take a clean sweep of the remaining majors too. How can anyone bet against him?

There’s no one out there even close to his level when he’s not injured or tired (well he’s never tired anymore either).

June 8th, 2012 at 1:31 pm

IMHO, tih s maybe the PERFECT opponent for rafa in the final.

WIN: then he can REALLY kick on and dominate this year. no MORE MENTAL BLOCKS against novak. He’ll be 3-0 against novak then, stated his clay superiority, and showed in AO 12 that he can COMPETE with novak on his best surface.

LOSE: then he and roger may have a JOINT RETIREMENT press anouncement post wimby.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:32 pm

Fitting that history is made either way on Sunday.

If Nole wins, he does the Nole Slam by going through the best clay courter of all time.

If Rafa wins, he establishes an RG record going through the best returner of all time.

Throwdown Sunday!!!

Thanks for the memories, Fed………

Move over @madmax and your troll friends, you are no longer in the picture……….

June 8th, 2012 at 1:32 pm

What?
No finger wag at the end!!???

Shouldn’t world No.1 show to his box that he still has that in him?
I think that was Mr. R. Federer’s explanation last year.

That’s why I like Nole. He is different… in a good way!

June 8th, 2012 at 1:32 pm

Following were my comments y’day and today before the match.

1) For Novak this match would be a practice session.

2) Roger would like to keep the match very simple for Novak, so that he does not spend too much energy.

3) Roger should start focussing on Grass ASAP and not waste more time on clay.

Looks like Roger seems to have done exactly the same.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:33 pm

If Rafa wins on Sunday he would have a record of stopping two players from achieving GS. Roger was stopped by Rafa before and this time he would have stopped Novak.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:35 pm

the comment of a BBC reporter:

This is Federer in decline. He hasn’t got the consistency to live with Djokovic and Nadal. He can do it in best-of-three set tournaments but that’s the difference for me. I don’t like saying this, he is a legend.

“Djokovic isn’t playing that well. His average tennis, his mean tennis, is better than Federer’s. It was quite disturbing to see Federer broken three times in that second set. It’s such a shame and I hope I’m proved wrong, but I can’t see him winning this from here.

“I was sat out in the press seats thinking ‘if he played Nadal in the final he would be minced, utterly minced’. It would be quite embarrassing.”

THAT IS THE MOST SPOT ON, HONEST, NAKED TRUTH BEING SPOKEN THERE!

June 8th, 2012 at 1:35 pm

the comment of a BBC reporter:

This is Federer in decline. He hasn’t got the consistency to live with Djokovic and Nadal. He can do it in best-of-three set tournaments but that’s the difference for me. I don’t like saying this, he is a legend.

“Djokovic isn’t playing that well. His average tennis, his mean tennis, is better than Federer’s. It was quite disturbing to see Federer broken three times in that second set. It’s such a shame and I hope I’m proved wrong, but I can’t see him winning this from here.

“I was sat out in the press seats thinking ‘if he played Nadal in the final he would be minced, utterly minced’. It would be quite embarrassing.”

THAT IS THE MOST SPOT ON, HONEST, NAKED TRUTH BEING SPOKEN THERE!

June 8th, 2012 at 1:35 pm

Oops, you’re right TMR, I got a little over-excited on the points gain. Ha ha. We chatted a while back about if Fed would play Halle; I think definitely he will now. The question is maybe whether Rafa will too, but I think so because he always played Queens even after winning all those RG titles.

C!P! – Thanks for those numbers on H2Hs. I was wondering about that. But when you think of the fact that Nole and Rafa have at least a couple good years in them to meet, then clearly they are going to meet more times than any of those classic rivalries.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:35 pm

once Rafa gets a hold of you ,there is a very little chance he will lose ; he used to play bad against Nalbandian ,Berdych ,Soderling ,Delpotro ,he used to lose matches or atleast play close ones with Federer and Ferrer ,but in time he made adjustments and from that moment on he almost always won ,this is happening now against Djokovic ,the last 2 matches won by him in Monte Carlo and Rome are only the beginning

June 8th, 2012 at 1:36 pm

SORRY about the double post- its accidental.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:36 pm

@Mila:Funny, but I was expecting that Nole do that to Federer…but as you said:He is different.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:39 pm

I want to add that the Djokovic we are seeing today is a better player than Federer ever was at any moment of his career.

He’s also better than Pete Sampras. You pick any year of Pete’s you want. If the two could somehow play each other, Djokovic would destroy Pete. It wouldn’t even be a contest.

We are possibly witnessing the greatest player of all time in the making. In my opinion, he is the most talented and skilled player that ever lived. Pick any player you want in their prime, and I would call them an underdog against him.

If only he peaked earlier in his career, he could easily eclipse Roger’s 16 slams. It might still be possible as long as he keeps healthy and doesn’t take risks by playing too many small events and instead focuses on majors.

Nadal is 50-1 at the French Open and has won it 6 times. He’s only once lost a best of five set match on clay, and that was to Soderling when his knees were shot. He’s easily the best clay court player of all time. But even with those impressive stats, there has to be serious doubts in his mind on whether he can beat Novak on Sunday. Last year, even on his best surface he had no answer against Nole. He tried everything including the kitchen sink and could not hit through him, even resorting to moonballs which also didn’t work.

For Nadal there has to be mental block. I don’t think the two wins this year against Nole will restore that much confidence because Nole may have been tired or not feeling 100% in those matches, or he might not have taken them that seriously since they’re only 1000s.

I’m not saying it’s a sure thing Nole will win, but even if Rafa wins, the next time they play, and any time they play, those seeds of doubt will always be there in his mind. Such is the psychological trauma that Nole has inflicted on him. These scars will never fade away even if Nadal wins the next 5.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:41 pm

Sunday History will be made: either Djoko Slam or Nadal’s Runner Slam:) 4 Slams in a row runner up.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:42 pm

@ Brando. Only positive energy please. No time for negatives. VAMOS RAFAAA!!!

June 8th, 2012 at 1:45 pm

‘These scars will never fade away even if Nadal wins the next 5.’

what PATHETIC ASSERTION to make!

so lets get this theory of yours right:

rafa loses 0-7 to novak= MENTAL BLOCK for rafa. OK, seems a reasonable point to make.

He wins on sundays, wins 5-0 after, total of 8-0 ppst 0-7 and he’s STILL GOT MENTAL BLOCK v novak!

LMAO, where were you hiding when the world was parading einstein as a genius! Surely with your theory you surpass his genius-LMAO!

June 8th, 2012 at 1:46 pm

Daniel Says:

“Sunday History will be made: either Djoko Slam or Nadal’s Runner Slam:) 4 Slams in a row runner up.”

No.. It would be both or neither. If Nadal wins, than neither of those will happen. If Nadal loses, both of those will happen.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:47 pm

@WTF: you say:

“I’m not saying it’s a sure thing Nole will win, but even if Rafa wins, the next time they play, and any time they play, those seeds of doubt will always be there in his mind. Such is the psychological trauma that Nole has inflicted on him. These scars will never fade away even if Nadal wins the next 5.”

Maybe I’m missing some key element of your argument here, but your last sentence in particular makes no sense to me. If Nadal wins the next 5 (and here I assume you mean the next 5 times they meet), these 5 meetings will presumably all be finals. Let’s get crazy and even say that 2 or 3 of them are GS finals. How exactly would Nadal be both psychologically scarred *and* defeating Novak in GS finals at the same time? Clearly, if psychological trauma or scarring for Nadal means he can still beat Novak, then I’d have to say that Nadal wouldn’t care less about any scarring going on.

And to your first statement, let’s talk once Novak has a better season than Federer’s best season on tour.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:47 pm

@Mark:

DON’T WORRY. the house rafa fans like myself, kimberly etc (where’s alison?) are fine about sundays prospect. you SHOULD be too.

IF rafa plays his best- it’ll be fine.

IF he loses- then it’ll be against a history making opponent.

its sport- as rafa says you win or lose, either way life moves on.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:49 pm

considering their level of play right now ,i will be surprised if Djoko wins more than 10 games on sunday

June 8th, 2012 at 1:49 pm

Thrilled for Rafa.

Sad for Roger.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:52 pm

@themindreels:

LOL, brilliant post as ever!

i guarantee ONE THING- the fed fans who support novak v rafa JUST so that rafa may not threaten roger’s legacy, WILL have it biting them up the behind!

Since IF novak does the 4 in a row, ends with a superior h2h over fed, wins 10-12 slams- you WATCH who shall be paraded as feds superior- LMAO!

June 8th, 2012 at 1:53 pm

today had SHADES or rome SF:

rafa beats ferrer- straight sets, novak lays an UNEXPECTED SMACKDOWN on federer.

REGARDLESS of who wins on sunday, i doubt if fed ends in novaks GS half from now on there shall be ANY TEARS from novak fans, lol!

QUESTION IS: which half do fed fans want the man to land in? rafa or nole?

June 8th, 2012 at 1:55 pm

@Brando, dunno about others but I love Novak for who he is, I don’t want him to win just to protect Federer’s records (although that would certainly help). I fell in love with Novak at the 2008 Australian Open, before that I knew him but wasn’t quite a fan.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:57 pm

“rafa loses 0-7 to novak= MENTAL BLOCK for rafa. OK, seems a reasonable point to make.

He wins on sundays, wins 5-0 after, total of 8-0 ppst 0-7 and he’s STILL GOT MENTAL BLOCK v novak!”

3 of those losses were on the biggest stage in tennis, 2 others were on his best surface. Sorry, but those scars never get wiped away even if you overturn the losing record in your favor. Every now and then when he’s in bed or in the shower, he will be thinking about that AO loss where he was up a break in the 5th set against a very tired Djokovic who played 5 sets in the previous round with a day less break, while Nadal went in very fresh. We’re talking about one of the fittest players on tour who is never seen tired, and the one of the most mentally tough players out there. The kind of player who doesn’t choke. The kind who always rises to the occasion in a big match. The guy who had something like a 17-3 record in 5 set matches (the best winning % of any player in history) who hadn’t lost one since 2005. A guy who had a 10-2 record in GS finals (his only defeats are two five set losses to Federer, the best player of the time on his favorite court at Wimbledon where he won 5 straight). And Novak overcame his aura.

No matter how dominating Nadal might become again, those losses will linger, and the POSSIBILITY of losing again to him will always be there. And he will know it. Nole has given Nadal a taste of what he can do, and he can always do it again. If he’s done it before, then he’s certainly capable of doing it again, no? That is why, even if Nadal wins the next 5, he will not go into the 6th match confident that he will win (unless Novak is carrying a visible injury).

He will never write off Novak. Whenever he played Federer, he would always modestly call Federer the favorite. In my opinion that modesty was always false. He always believed he could beat Federer, and didn’t truly mean what he says. He only said it out of respect. Against Nole, he truly believes it. Federer has beaten him in big matches, including two heartbreaking ones at Wimbledon, but he hasn’t inflicted the psychological damage that Nole has. If anything, Nadal inflicted the psychological damage on Federer. But now he’s been given a dose of his own medicine.

He will still believe he can win, but much of it will be on Nole’s racket. He won’t EXPECT to beat Nole the way he expected to beat Federer.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:58 pm

This is the astrologer’s prediction:

We have final Nadal vs Djokovic.

We see from final chart that Ma will win, and as Nadal has red sport kit, which fits with ruler Ma according to colors, in my pinion, Nadal will win.

June 8th, 2012 at 1:59 pm

do not care because at wimby fed has def. a decent chance vs both of them…do not expect another performance like that vs nole at wimby…lots of free points with his serve…so pls do not fall into arrogant thinking..fed will prove you wrong if you do so…but to answer your question. i would love to see him play nadal at wimby and flushing in the semis…he needs to pull one great victory vs him before it is over and i quit watching tennis till another savior comes along

June 8th, 2012 at 2:00 pm

@Dory:

i CAN COMPLETELY RESPECT THAT- it’s good to hear in fact.

what i can’t stand are the PETTY SUPPORTERS of novak- who ONLY support him so that he protects rogers GS total.

I mean, come on now- the man gets paraded as the GOAT and his own fans do not think he’s good enough to beat his nearest rival from matching that total?

LMAO, begs the question: do they like roger or his SUCCESS?…….

June 8th, 2012 at 2:00 pm

@Brando: if Novak wins on Sunday, he’ll do Roger a solid by pulling him up to #2 in the rankings. That would give Federer then his own half of the draw, as we say, so it would then be a question of where Nadal falls in the Wimbledon draw. (I’ll qualify that by stating that it’s not entirely clear to me how the Wimbledon seeding formula works, as they do factor in previous performance when seeding players. It’s possible that Federer could be ranked #2 going into Wimbledon but seeded 3rd.)

It’s a big if, but if Novak wins on Sunday, I *think* it’s possible we’d have a Novak/Rafa semi at Wimbledon.

June 8th, 2012 at 2:02 pm

BTW, the prediction I posted is from a Serbian Astrologer.

I will get you back with the Argentine Astrologer’s prediction later.

June 8th, 2012 at 2:02 pm

@WTF. WTF? You are wrong. Federer in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 was as good as Nole today, if not better. You are either just bluffing because you have never followed Federer’s career from 2000s or you hate him so you are belittling him. You have no idea how good Federer was in his prime.

June 8th, 2012 at 2:02 pm

@oui

My prediction last night was mine not the astrologer’s.

June 8th, 2012 at 2:03 pm

“Maybe I’m missing some key element of your argument here, but your last sentence in particular makes no sense to me. If Nadal wins the next 5 (and here I assume you mean the next 5 times they meet), these 5 meetings will presumably all be finals. Let’s get crazy and even say that 2 or 3 of them are GS finals. How exactly would Nadal be both psychologically scarred *and* defeating Novak in GS finals at the same time? Clearly, if psychological trauma or scarring for Nadal means he can still beat Novak, then I’d have to say that Nadal wouldn’t care less about any scarring going on.”

Because damage is permanent and can’t be erased. Even if you won the last 5, you still lost those. And those losses can recur. If they’ve happened before, they can happen again. The mentality when facing Novak is not like it is when facing Federer where he always enjoyed a winning record.

Winning the next 5 will not make you immune to any further defeats. He knows this.

Would Nole have mental block if he lost the next 5? I don’t think so. Because what Nole did in 2011-12 in impressiveness and style goes beyond anything Nadal has ever done. Even if he wins the next 5 matches he won’t be as good as Nole was in 2011.

“And to your first statement, let’s talk once Novak has a better season than Federer’s best season on tour.”

He’s already done that… Look at his 2011 season. His win loss % is better than Federer’s best. He went through something like 9 months with only one defeat. Won like 6 or 7 titles on the trot. Federer has never done that.

June 8th, 2012 at 2:04 pm

Truly applaud what Djoker achieved the last couple of months, year even. But why isn’t greatness spelled over his achievements. Maybe because he is Mafia-like. A real gangster. Lucky Luciano would be a nice name for him. Nadal in the class of Al Capone. No class. Bending the rules. Butt or bootleg picking. God forbids he lands up in jail and start picking butt …. I rest my case

June 8th, 2012 at 2:05 pm

@WTF: Nadal’s 10-2 record in GS finals prior to Novak’s “birth” included a 4-set loss to Fed in the 2006 Wimbledon finals, not two 5-set losses.

June 8th, 2012 at 2:06 pm

Dory, for me it was earlier, in 2007 at IW, but I do just love Nole for who he is and how he plays. His fans know it is always a roller coaster with Nole, never just coasting. But I’ll take the highs with the lows.

Brando, I agree about Delpo/USO and Tsonga/Wimbledon dark horses. I also think Murray is a threat to break through on grass: two times Queens winner and how many semis at Wimbledon? 2 for sure I think. It might be good if he didn’t have Nadal in the semi this year, just to see how he could match up on grass versus someone else. Murray’s next best slam, to me, is the AO, although he has been in a USO final as well so you never know – less pressure there than Wimbledon.

June 8th, 2012 at 2:07 pm

@Brando, yes he is not good enough today because he has aged. Do we have any idea of how Nadal and Djokovic are going to be playing 4 years from now. So naturally as Federer fans, he want his records to last. Age affect everyone’s performance in everything, not just Federer.

June 8th, 2012 at 2:08 pm

@WTF:

I APOLOGISE- forget einstein. your not only BETTER than him but also socrates, da vinci, newton, lincoln etc- VIRTUALLY all the great minds throughout history.

as your, clearly, the only ONE who has been able to VENTURE into and KNOW another human being thoughts!

WOW- i am amazed! i mean HOW ELSE can you say something else like:

‘ Every now and then when he’s in bed or in the shower, he will be thinking about that AO loss ‘

please tell me what roger was THINKING when he saw novak across the net today- i am curious to know.

June 8th, 2012 at 2:08 pm

i’m confused i don’t know exactly if WTF has a bad logic ,or has one at all

June 8th, 2012 at 2:10 pm

van orten Says:

“do not care because at wimby fed has def. a decent chance vs both of them…do not expect another performance like that vs nole at wimby…”

I was thinking the same thing last year… but he first has to get to Novak before he can beat him. Last year he lost to Tsonga after leading by two sets! That was a total gift to Nole, because IMO the only player who could have possibly beaten Nole at Wimbledon was Federer. But Federer making the appointment is no longer a gimme anymore. He’s pushing 31 and is never going to return to being the player he once was. He’s good for an upset here and there, but I don’t expect him to win a 17th slam.

June 8th, 2012 at 2:11 pm

So how long do people think the men’s final will last? If it goes to 5 sets, maybe we’re looking at 7 hours and 38 minutes…

June 8th, 2012 at 2:11 pm

Congrats to Nole, all what I wanted him to do was make it to the final, his first FO final, he did it. He got some extra points for doing that and chance to make it four in a row. If he doesn’t no big deal. I was worried how is he going to do this year after what he did last year. He is doing fine, just gine: 1 GS, 1 masters, 2 masters finals, one more GS to play for.
I can go now to bed, it was worth staying awake until 4am.
In Nole We Trust

June 8th, 2012 at 2:11 pm

@Dory:

AGREE re feds best.

im a rafa fan, BUT fed 2004-2007 SURPASSES rafa or novak at hist best!

that fed would ONLY lose to rafa on clay- he’ll beat BOTH anytime, anyplace elsewhere.

He BEAT novak at his peak last year- RG and had MPs at USO- IMAGINE what he would have done to him in his peak years? LOL, people really do have short memories………

June 8th, 2012 at 2:12 pm

@WTF: sorry, but I don’t believe the numbers lie here. You say:

“He’s already done that… Look at his 2011 season. His win loss % is better than Federer’s best. He went through something like 9 months with only one defeat. Won like 6 or 7 titles on the trot. Federer has never done that.”

Novak’s 2011 season:

70-6 win-loss record (92.1%)
10 titles
3 majors

Federer’s 2004 season:

74-6 (92.5%)
11 titles
3 majors

Federer’s 2005 season:

81-4 (95.3%)
11 titles
2 majors

Federer’s 2006 season:

92-5 (94.8%)
12 titles
3 majors

You’re welcome to cherry-pick various consecutive months and say that Novak had a great first 5 months of the 2001 season, but even then, it’s probably a losing argument to get into a battle over who’s been a more consistent performer over his career. Federer has *very* many consistency records.

June 8th, 2012 at 2:13 pm

BTW, for those who didn’t see this on the thread about the TV coverage, if you’d like to complain to NBC for showing tape-delayed coverage on the west coast, please go to http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/23071620/ to submit your complaint. The more complaints they get, the more likely they are to care.

June 8th, 2012 at 2:13 pm

Wog Boy at 2:11 – I feel exactly the same. :) Except for the time difference we are in synch.

June 8th, 2012 at 2:14 pm

Nadalista! That much hate and anger in you just for ROger, who you do not even know. What gives?Your life must be so sad. I won’t waste my time feeling sorry for you. You can have your hate and if that makes you happy, more power to you.

Sorry ROger lost. Does it matter in the long run? I don’t think so, because he has acheived so much and he is happy with his life and proud of his achievements (Nadalista, you should take note). Nobody, and I mean nobody can take that away from him. He will always be the GOAT for me and his fans.

June 8th, 2012 at 2:15 pm

Dory Says:

“@WTF. WTF? You are wrong. Federer in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 was as good as Nole today, if not better. You are either just bluffing because you have never followed Federer’s career from 2000s or you hate him so you are belittling him. You have no idea how good Federer was in his prime.”

Wrong. I know what he won. But he didn’t do it against a guy as good as Nole. I’m not arguing that Nole has had a better career than Federer.

My point is that Nole plays better tennis than Federer. Unfortunately he didn’t reach his peak until last year.

What I’m saying is that if the Nole of 2011-12 was somehow magically able to play in 2003-07 in the place of the Nole of 2003-07, Federer would not have won as many titles as he ended up winning. I would go a step further and say that if the Nole of 2011-12 was able to play in 2003-07, he’d win at least as many majors as Federer won during that period, even against Federer himself.

This is all conjecture of course, since there are no time machines.

My point is Nole is a more talented player than Federer, and that is no mean feat.

June 8th, 2012 at 2:15 pm

the mind reels Says:

“@WTF: Nadal’s 10-2 record in GS finals prior to Novak’s “birth” included a 4-set loss to Fed in the 2006 Wimbledon finals, not two 5-set losses.”

My bad. It was indeed a four set loss. But it doesn’t change my point or diminish from it. The only player who could beat Nadal in a GS final was the very best player in the world on his very best surface. Remember, Federer was the king of grass at the time, and Rafa was still considered a clay court specialist. He’d never won on grass at that stage.

Nole shattered any aura Nadal once carried. Stepped on it, spat, jumped, pummeled into the ground, and buried it. All done in one season and a half. And Nadal will never regain the confidence he once had no matter what. That’s my opinion.

June 8th, 2012 at 2:19 pm

@Jane:

CONGRATS to you and wog boy- my FAV novak fans, novak DESERVEDLY reached hist 1st RG slam final – MAY the best man win on sunday.

re the others:

– jo ‘ali’ tsonga: he’s the BIG THREAT for me at wimby. he’s the MOST NATURAL grass court player, IMO, after fed right now in the top 8. I couldn’t believe he had MPs against novak- on CLAY. if he can do it here, he can DEFINATELY do so at wimby. the ONLY problem with him is: MENTALLY he cannot handle the emotions of back to back big matches.

– andy: it’s all AO then USO. As a brit i can NEVER see him winning wimby- just WAY TOO MUCH pressure and cynicism goes his way during the grass season. IF wimby was in france, it would be his best shot- BUT because its his home slam, it turns into a burden.

– delpo: IMO, IF he’s fully fit by USO then i believe he’ll make SF EASILY at USO. his got EVERYTHING bar fitness.

June 8th, 2012 at 2:20 pm

I am just so emotionally happy for Nole. He’s the perfect guy. He’s got everything – great tennis talent, nice attitude in life, generous nature and sporting spirit. I just want him to win win win. He’s my hero for now. How could anyone not love him? People misunderstand him as cocky. Go see his YouTube videos and you will see the kind of personality Djoker is, the guy Djokes about his own name-how can people think him as arrogant? I am sure as a brother too he’s great his younger brothers, and as a person, he’s very good-natured.

June 8th, 2012 at 2:20 pm

tennis.com Racquet Reaction by Peter Bodo:

http://blogs.tennis.com/racquet_reaction/2012/06/french-open-djokovic-d-federer.html

“While Novak Djokovic handled Roger Federer in straight sets in the semifinals of Roland Garros, he did very little to convince skeptics that he’ll be able to topple Rafael Nadal in the final, and thereby become the first man to hold all four major titles since Rod Laver last did it nearly 50 years ago.

Because at times in what should have been a tightly played and hotly contested second set—you could argue that it’s the most important set of any five-set match—it appeared that the men had decided to impersonate a couple of WTA pros at their worst. The question became not who would get the critical break, but who would record the key hold.”

Ahem…….

June 8th, 2012 at 2:21 pm

RZ

480 minutes

June 8th, 2012 at 2:22 pm

STAT of the day:

RF WINNERS: 33
ND WINNERS: 27

RF UE: 46
NV UE: 17!

roger hit almost 3 TIMES as many UEs! No wonder he lost.

June 8th, 2012 at 2:24 pm

nadalista

Thanks for the link. Nice write. However ,

mark

thinks bodo is a bozo. Me? I like him ;)

June 8th, 2012 at 2:24 pm

Brando Says:

“@WTF:

I APOLOGISE- forget einstein. your not only BETTER than him but also socrates, da vinci, newton, lincoln etc- VIRTUALLY all the great minds throughout history.”

We’re talking about tennis. These people, are irrelevant in this discussion, as great as they were.

Although I would disagree with you on them being great minds. For their time they were, but if they were alive today, they wouldn’t be. They just happened to be the first to say/discover whatever it is they said/discovered. If they weren’t around, someone else would have thought of what they thought up. We’d still be here without them. We have minds alive today that are far superior to what these people were. Changing world, changing standards. These guys just aren’t as famous because there are plenty of other thinkers on a par with them.

I do not regard any of the people you mentioned with any reverance. I put in context what they achieved. It was great for their time. I have more appreciation for the things great minds produce today.

“as your, clearly, the only ONE who has been able to VENTURE into and KNOW another human being thoughts!”

I’m not prescient. I’m merely applying common sense. When you experience something heartbreaking, it will come back to haunt you. You don’t have to be a mind reader to know that. It’s human psychology.

June 8th, 2012 at 2:24 pm

@ Jamie. What is the psychic’s prediction?

June 8th, 2012 at 2:24 pm

I forgot to say that like some Nole fans here, I also believed in him that he would be very successful one day by seeing his game – even if 2007-2010 didn’t produce perfect results for him with the exception of the lone Grand Slam in 2008, I believed in him and how happy I was that I believed in him when he started winning. It’s not like I started liking him after he started winning. His personality, his attitude, his down-to-earth nature, his tennis talent of highly accurate, consistent shotmaking – I just love everything about this guy. He’s very patriotic about his country too, he spends time with underprivileged children, he’s a family man. I just love DjokerNole.

June 8th, 2012 at 2:25 pm

WTF if you’re so sure on your arguments that Nole is and will be the best of any ,why do you feel the need to keep telling us the same nonsense all over again? we get it ,for you Nole is the GOAT already ,too bad you’re the only one thinking like that (too bad for you of course)

June 8th, 2012 at 2:25 pm

jane,

Congrats to you and sar, duro, mat4, wog boy and the rest wherever they are. Good luck in the finals! Thought we’d see more posting from you all. It the trollers took over :(

June 8th, 2012 at 2:27 pm

Agree on all of those points Brando. I think Nole reaching the finals is a good sign. Probably he won’t win this year as Rafa is so dominant but I think it bodes well for him completely the career slam if he can do it in the next 2-3 years.

Congrats to you, Kimberly, Lulu, alison, and other Rafa fans I am forgetting on his nth RG final appearance and an excellent chance to surpass Borg with 7.

Did you see how close Rafole are to surpassing all of those other classic rivalries? They will be meeting for the 33rd time Sunday. Look at C!P!s post:

C!P! Says:
Lendl-Mcenroe 36 times
Becker-edberg 35 times
Sampras -Agassi ,Connors McEnroe 34 times

June 8th, 2012 at 1:28 pm

Crazy considering they are only 25 and 26 years old. They could meet 50 times before they retire.

June 8th, 2012 at 2:29 pm

Federer is the almighty slightly-proud of his achievements GOAT, but GOAT he is. I mean his records would shut up any hater who’s in denial. His records are far ahead. Anyone’s who’s seen his serve and volley game in the mid 2000s.

DjokerNole on the other hand, I relate to him as the guy next door. He’s so down-to-earth, so cool, so funny, so responsible, so lovable, so handsome, so talented.

June 8th, 2012 at 2:29 pm

The only time Nadal lost in RG he was playing in pink. I was in the center coirt in RG in his first match and qhen he entrr the court the first thing i told my mother: Wow, Nadal is playing in a redish pink, he must have some balls for a supersticiois guy. She said, it’s red. To me still resbles pink. Will see on Sunday:)

June 8th, 2012 at 2:29 pm

skeezer, I am too tense to post during most matches. lol. Thanks. You are probably already dreaming of the lawns yes? :)

June 8th, 2012 at 2:30 pm

“im a rafa fan, BUT fed 2004-2007 SURPASSES rafa or novak at hist best!”

What he won surpasses what Rafa/Nole won. His level of skill does not. Well I could make the case that his level of skill is better than Rafa’s, but not better than Nole’s.

“that fed would ONLY lose to rafa on clay- he’ll beat BOTH anytime, anyplace elsewhere.”

I’ll have to disagree with that. He never even held a commanding head to head advantage over Nadal with clay results disregarded, which is what you would expect if that were to be the case.

An inexperienced 17 year old Nadal crushed Federer in his prime in their very first meeting (Miami, hard court, 2004) breaking him three times and never facing a single break point on his own serve.

“He BEAT novak at his peak last year- RG and had MPs at USO- IMAGINE what he would have done to him in his peak years? LOL, people really do have short memories………”

That was one win. Against how many losses starting from 2011? I mean, at the AO Fed led by two sets and held two match points in the 5th set and still lost. Speaking of matches players will rue whilst in the shower…

June 8th, 2012 at 2:30 pm

Jane ,for Rafa is the 16th slam final, which equal’s Borg :) ,let’s hope sunday he breaks the other tie with Borg :)

June 8th, 2012 at 2:32 pm

Brando, Skezzer and others,

Thanks, I need some sleep, then recovery session so I am ready for sunday:)

June 8th, 2012 at 2:32 pm

C!P! I will cheer for the Nole slam, I love the guy! I know the chances are very slim, of course, but a girl can dream.

That achievement of Rafa’s would be something though. He has literally owned RG since he stepped on it.

June 8th, 2012 at 2:34 pm

“You’re welcome to cherry-pick various consecutive months and say that Novak had a great first 5 months of the 2001 season, but even then, it’s probably a losing argument to get into a battle over who’s been a more consistent performer over his career. Federer has *very* many consistency records.”

Fine I’ll give you that. But I’d still prefer Nole’s season based on the style in which he did it and the long unbeaten stretch. And I’d still argue that Nole was a better player (not a more successful player, just a better player).

As for consistent performer. You have a point. For now. But only because Nole hasn’t been given the opportunity to prove himself yet. If we revisit this 3 years from now, I think Nole’s 2011-15 will be at least as good as Federer’s 2003-07.

Also, I never truly felt Federer was capable of winning a calendar slam or even a Roger slam (because of Rafa). I do believe Nole can. Not guaranteeing that he will, but I have more belief that he can do it than Federer ever could.

And if he does pull it off, that will be one feat that will always have eluded Federer.

June 8th, 2012 at 2:36 pm

I also need to sleep. It’s 0:00 in India. :)

June 8th, 2012 at 2:36 pm

On a more positive note, credit to Fed for making SF when he’s not looked great all tournie. Espec for the 2sets down comeback vs Delpo….Just don’t understand why Fed should hang up his boots when no one else other than Nole/Nadal can defeat him..then probably everyone except the two should hang up their boots no?

Nole and Sharapova will both try to achieve the career grand slam in FO….Brilliant performance by both of them….

twice in 5 years, Nadal will try to stop a player from achieving career grand slam….although I must say that Nole thrives under pressure and we can see a totally different Nole on Sunday who will try to win FO more than ever…

Novak Djokovic’s Attitude : Fluke or Real? http://bit.ly/NmSt9H

June 8th, 2012 at 2:37 pm

WTF, alas, there are no time machines, not for anyone, and while people try to turn back time, we can’t do that either. Maybe it’s just subjective who’s tennis is better? As for successes, Fed and Rafa are still far ahead of Nole. As a Nole fan I am uber proud of what he has achieved nonetheless. And we’ll see where he can go from here.

June 8th, 2012 at 2:38 pm

@Jane:

Thanks- AGREE re novak at RG.

IMHO, rafa has a 5/45 edge for the final- NO MORE, NO LESS. SO novak winning would not be a major surprise considering last 18 months IMHO.

BUT IF he doesn’t- and i hope he doesn’t (lol)- then i can see him winning it some other time. thing is though, this time next year i anticipate del potro, tsonga and murray to REPLACE federer and ferrer as MAJOR CLAY challengers- could make things difficult that.

what’s your take?

June 8th, 2012 at 2:39 pm

Rafa’s achievement would be a 1st (that’s what in my opinion makes it bigger than Nole’s grand slam) people have done Grand Slams before ,but never 7 French Opens ,not to mention it;s easier to have a great year but to have such consistency several years on the toughest Slam of all ,it’s harder to me

June 8th, 2012 at 2:39 pm

@Wog Boy:

sunday will most likely be a MARATHON- lol, skeez may be right- it could be a 480 minutes endurance test for both!

i hope not.

June 8th, 2012 at 2:41 pm

C!P! Says:

“WTF if you’re so sure on your arguments that Nole is and will be the best of any ,why do you feel the need to keep telling us the same nonsense all over again? we get it ,for you Nole is the GOAT already ,too bad you’re the only one thinking like that (too bad for you of course)”

I was merely answering critiques. Ask a question, get an answer. I didn’t say it because I was so confident. My opinion was questioned, and I explained why I thought what I thought. I’m not here because I think saying it will change your mind.

You probably wouldn’t believe this if I told you, but I’m actually not that big a fan of Nole. I do appreciate and admire his skill and talent and what he has been able to do however, and I’m merely calling it how I see it.

June 8th, 2012 at 2:42 pm

@WTF: we can certainly agree that if Djokovic pulls off the win on Sunday, he can always say that he won all 4 majors by toppling Nadal each time, something Federer never did. Unless, of course, Federer magically beats Nadal at RG next year. But hey, even I wouldn’t put money on that :)

I’d be truly impressed if Novak surpasses some/many/all of Federer’s consistency records. The list on wikipedia is long long long, but certainly not impossible! For one, he’ll have to stop losing to players named Janko and John…

June 8th, 2012 at 2:43 pm

re novak slam: IF it happens its immense as an achievement- especially when you beat a 10 GS slam winner each time.

re rafa FO record: IF it happens- equally immense. to win ANY slam once is massive (just ask murray who’s trying to do so) BUT the same win for 7 times in a row,mastering a surface at 98% WIN RECORD- is very praiseworthy imo.

June 8th, 2012 at 2:45 pm

Brando, that’s a valid point. But he could keep working at it for at least 3 years. Maybe one of those years he would get it. I think it’s a pretty good chance. All sorts of factors matter of course: injury and health, draws, weather, etc. So you never know; Nole might not get it ever. Seeing him reach a final gives me more hope though because he’d never made this hurdle before today. So the odds aren’t perfect by any means, but they are still pretty good. Both Agassi and Fed won FO when they were a bit older I think, so Nole’s window is still open – win or lose Sunday.

June 8th, 2012 at 2:45 pm

Brando, I agree, except just to point out that Rafa’s FO’s wouldn’t be “in a row” due to that 1 loss in 09.

How many Wimbledons did Pete win? 6 or 7?

June 8th, 2012 at 2:48 pm

@Jane:

i think you MISUNDERSTOOD me- his ODDS are very good. for next 2- 3 years re FO for me:

1- Rafa
2- Novak
3- delpo
4- muzza/ ali

June 8th, 2012 at 2:48 pm

@jane:

LOL, DAMN 2009!

Pistol pete won 7 overall- 4 in a row.

i think when fed, rafa and novak reite the all time GS will be at a slam:

AO- NOvak
FO- Rafa
Wimby- Pistol pete
USO- fedex

June 8th, 2012 at 2:50 pm

Pete won 7 Wimby ,no one has one more than 7 on any slam

June 8th, 2012 at 2:51 pm

I thought Pete had 7 but wasn’t sure, thanks for clarifying. Those two would be the highest at any slam I would imagine.

Brando, I hope Nole can get the career slam before he retires.

So sad about “I’ll Have Another” – the horse is injured; can longer go for the Triple Crown.

June 8th, 2012 at 2:54 pm

And the GOAT Federer won 5 Wimbledons in a row, then another Wimbledon skipping 1 year, 5 USOs in a row, 4 Aus Opens and 1 French. And the record I consider AMAZING which is Tennis masters Cup/ATP WTF which is the only H2H Top 8 player tournament – he won that 6 times!!

Read the rest on Wikipedia:
– http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATP World Tour records
– http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_career_achievements_by_Roger_Federer

June 8th, 2012 at 2:54 pm

“He’ll have another ” chance next year:)

June 8th, 2012 at 2:56 pm

@jane:

i think he will re career slam.

wimby, imo, was the toughest one for him and he got it last year. he’s a better clay courter than a grass court player for me, so it makes sense to.

June 8th, 2012 at 2:58 pm

I don’t care who lands where in the GS draws….never have Brando!

And about the age thing, please don’t generalize, not all Fedfans see things in black and white. Federer is in a gradual decline and has been to this fedfan for the most part, going on 3 years. it’s not a free fall or a sudden slide, nor is it a raising of Lazarus moment if he wins something. Yes, certain times of the year, surfaces, and venues suit him more. I love how he opportunistically won Madrid, while the others were protesting. Fed’s still in the contest. But to me, I do not think he’ll reach #1 again, nor do I think he has a very good shot at a GS; luck would have to play a big factor.

The thing is, the best player will win. Fortunately for Rafa there are a lot of great Spanish players- his Davis Cup Mates have a hero-worship of him, also Pico and others. Djokovic got over it he beat both Rafa and Roger, thank god. Federer has had the same spell over many players. Inevitably sometimes, even often, there will be a whole lot of Spaniards Rafa owns in his his GS draws. Maybe some will step up to challenge him more in the other GS’s but Nadal is the best on Clay.

But being reasonable, Federer is going on 31. His not winning any more is simply a natural course. It doesn’t mean Fedfans stop watching tennis. At least not for me! I have lots of favorites and love tennis. I simply never have liked watching Rafa play his brand of tennis. Djokovic is preferable or Murray or Delpo. Rafa though has been good for the sport, I’ve watched him live, watched him practice, seen how he is with the fans. He’s a good bloke. If he wins more Wimbledon’s, US Opens, AO’s amongst his FO haul, it will be tough to argue he’s not the greatest, even if I can’t stand his tennis.

But GOAT being a matter of preference – he’ll be someone i suffered through and had to admit his manner of playing the game is most effective, sadly. There are fedfans that I’m sure like Rafa better than Djokovic. And other fedfans will get bored with tennis when Federer is aging and fading from the top spot in the sport. It’s not the case here. I livestream challengers when there is a lull in ATP 250’s. lol…the most fun for me in a GS is the early rounds….lots of matches! More interesting to me than the same two players every time in a final.

This is Djokovic’s 1st shot at a FO final. Personally, I don’t think he’s playing his best yet, therefore, it’s a tough ask for him, this Djokerslam, tougher than I imagined after his AO win over Rafa.

It’s a lot of pressure on Djokovic. Nadal is in his element and healthy. If i were betting, would have to go with Nadal but I think he better get it done in straight sets, because if he wobbles, Djokovic does match-up well vs Nadal. In fact, if Nadal doesn’t win in 4, Nole will have a decent shot in the 5th! Nole will have to play a whole lot better than he has been though or I just can’t see it happening. Federer wasn’t good. A healthy Delpo could have taken Federer out.

June 8th, 2012 at 3:00 pm

For all Djokovic fans (or just tennis fans), I stumbled across this video on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ3YXVholE8

For anyone who’s ever tried this game, it’s a lot harder than it looks.

June 8th, 2012 at 3:05 pm

@Conty:

IF it goes 5th set, I AGREE, advantage rafa.

BUT IMHO, people are underplaying MC and rome. the KEY there was: rafa’s body language. he looked clam and cool when under pressure, especially in rome. When novak had his chances in set 1 in rome final, imho, it seemed that rafa was focused on navigating the storm. A STARK contrast to rafa in wimby last year, where for me he had the ‘oh here we go again look’.

BODY LANGUAGE is the MOST TELLING SIGN as to how a player feels on court. rafa, IMHO, seemed to exude positive signs versus novak this year in AO, MC and rome.

Last year, REGARDLESS of the result, IF one just looks at rafa’s body language at madrid, rome and wimby especially- it seemed like of someone playing WITH FEAR. and this is a rafa fan saying that about his fav.

NEITHER can win without belief, and in my mere opinion, rafa seems to exude more self belief against novak this year than last. NO?

June 8th, 2012 at 3:07 pm

@TMR:

THANK YOU – that was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!

lol, the celebration at the end!

it was BETTER than the match today, lol!

June 8th, 2012 at 3:11 pm

compared to last year ,this year Rafa has made major adjustments ,he uses his main weapon alot more(forehand) and doesn’t use that poor backhand slice of his ,that created attacking position for Djoko ; now he blasts his 2-handed backhanded ,thus maintaining the control of the point much more often

June 8th, 2012 at 3:13 pm

Side notes – I am glad the weather held out for Fed/Nole so they could finish their match in nice conditions, a little wind, but relatively sunny, dry, etc. I was concerned after that rain delay earlier.

I really like the classic Uniqlo on Nole. It suits him.

The Italian girls won the doubles title – so Errani going for two.

conty, nice post again. Alas, I think you’re right about Nole’s chances. He isn’t playing his best consistently. Perhaps these wins over Jo and Federer will give him a boost of confidence. I just hope it’s not a rout or anything.

June 8th, 2012 at 3:16 pm

@C!P!:

FAIR POINT- the better man always wins. period.

in 0-7, novak was the better. I can talk about rafa’s chances at MI, AO etc BUT better man won.

Hopefully rafa turns out the better man this year- generally, his tennis has BEEN BETTER this year than last

June 8th, 2012 at 3:16 pm

TMR, ha, cute video – and it does look hard actually.

June 8th, 2012 at 3:18 pm

@Conty:

re read my post- re 5th ad = ND.

that aside, good post by you. your comments re seem fair and genuine, as always, re rafa- BUT do support him now and then, no? :-)

June 8th, 2012 at 3:19 pm

Re. Fed’s much hyped “finger wagging” at Nole, at last years FO semi…

I don’t think it was finger wagging in the sense he was saying “no-no” to Nole. It was more like finger-waving, as they do to celebrate victory. Like the chequered flag is waved when a race-car finishes the last lap.

So Fed was just “waving his flag” so to speak, not “wagging” at Nole.

I also have to say, I’m not sold on this Fed’s sportsmanship, that presser after last year’s USO semi-final loss to Nole was really lame, where Fed had shown his true face. But the “finger wagging”, I don’t think so, at least I didn’t see it like that.

June 8th, 2012 at 3:33 pm

Federer, who has plenty of experience against both of Sunday’s finalists, picked Nadal to win.

“I think he’s the overwhelming favorite,” Federer said.

June 8th, 2012 at 3:41 pm

For me, the key factor in the final could be the weather.

I think that Nole will play well. Brando, about the body language: it could be just an impression of yours. BTW, did you notice the way scratches every time he mentions a knee injury? (ok, just jokin’)

I think the perspective of a “Nole slam” can either make the Serb to nervous or give him some adrenaline. In other words, either he will underperfom, either overachieve. I vote for the second outcome.

Today: the weather and the court was an advantage for Nole. And, in Fed’s case, the heart wasn’t there.

June 8th, 2012 at 3:46 pm

And, in Fed’s case, the heart wasn’t there.

Sorry, I meant: le coeur n’y était pas, wasn’t to motivated.

June 8th, 2012 at 3:47 pm

It’s hard for me to fake anything, Brando. Honestly, it was good for me to see Rafa Nadal live because I can appreciate him genuinely, at least how hard he works, that he’s thoughtful, very aware of his fans, ect.

And watching him live doesn’t bother me as much as on TV. He didn’t do his knee-up vamos’ing so much vs. Almagro, Pico and Daveed. There’s just all kinds of things I don’t like about his tennis from day one watching him. I’ve tried. He bugs me.

But that is a purely personal opinion. And his has nothing to do with his H2H over Federer or an inner fear of Rafa passing Fed. None of that. I’m not a Goat person or a trophy counter but that’s what sport is to most. Ah…so and so is the greatest ever. It’s too subjective to me.

I would have been quite happy with Goffin taking out Federer but Nadal….ew. Please don’t take it personally. You are a reasonable Rafa Fan. It’s just not all of us ‘fedfans’ think anywhere near alike, that was my point; also, age is a factor, though Fed’s still going deep but it’s a slow decline and I have been saying that, accepting it, for longer than most Fedfans. I truly was done and satisfied after he won FO 09. Wouldn’t have minded Roddick winning Wimbles 09, and celebrated Delpo winning US Open 09.

Nadal…not even watching in live dubs did I cheer for him but I didn’t cheer for Wawa and Fed either, or even the Bryans. To my surprise, I was glued at IW 2011 to watching Alexander Dolgopolov and Xavier Malisse beat all of them! I don’t know, player pick me, I don’t pick them – same goes for cyclists, and others. I cheer underdogs, a lot too and poor teams as opposed to well-funded super teams.

June 8th, 2012 at 3:54 pm

This match will be an error fest from Federer.
He plays decent tennis against weak opponents, but when he encounters quality opponents he would just start blindly taking chances without conviction and spray his shots outside the lines.

Yes, Fleischer you are right
Festival of errors of the swiss. Like i said before, his last chance of winnings one slam more is this Us Open 2012 like Sampras 10 years ago. Then his chance of winning is practically near to 0 per cent.

June 8th, 2012 at 4:39 pm

Boring is someone like Ivanisevic, Serve, serve and serve. Really boring.

June 8th, 2012 at 4:41 pm

you know what conty, when all is done, you love federer and will do so till the day he goes, you will cry like a baby, look back at the old vids, the good old days, and rejoice in being a part of the fed who brought class and sportsmanship to tennis like no other.

Of course I appreciate the dolgos and the delpos, but will they ever step up to the power boys? And Murray, really, I have given up hope. Another Nalbandian, I fear.

I for one, cannot give up on Federer. He is such a crazy special player, but like you, I have accepted his position, as a solid number 3).

Though I disagree with you, because this year is his best chance to regain a number 1 position, even for one week. Would be a feat to witness.

Like you, it doesn’t matter how many GS anyone else wins, Federer will always be a cut above.

Without Federer, tennis would be boring. The guy is still doing great. Just great.

We will not see how good novak or rafa are at 30plus, but I am enjoying the moments now with Fed. They may not be as sharp or as enjoyable at times, but I would rather watch him than not at all.

June 8th, 2012 at 4:42 pm

“Djokovic and Nadal have now won through to the climax of four grand slam tournaments in a row – a feat which no two players in the history of the game can match.” From the Montreal Gazette.

June 8th, 2012 at 4:43 pm

From Federer’s presser today:

“Overall, I did feel my very best coming into the semis today. I was where I wanted to be, but ran into an opponent who was just better today.”

Credit from Federer where it’s deserved. He admits to giving himself chances but not capitalizing because Novak played the bigger points better. Tough, but it sounds like he’ll take something from this into the grass-court season.

@jane: a bit of misleading statement from the Gazette, I think? To say that no two players can “match” that sounds like a particular player has agency in that stat. More than anything, it’s the sign of two guys playing peak tennis at the same time. In other words, Nadal’s ability to be part of that “feat” depends entirely on Djokovic, and vice versa. Just as much credit is due, I think, to any one player making the finals in a major four times in a row.

Also, not to state the obvious, but if two players in the future also meet in four consecutive finals at the majors, then those two also who have matched the feat…yes?

June 8th, 2012 at 4:54 pm

I think the tense is wrong TMR. I was just surprised as I didn’t know that this had never happened before: i.e., the same two finalists 4 slams in a row. Of course it takes two to tango, every time.

June 8th, 2012 at 5:02 pm

Conty,

Nice post at 3:54. I think that most Fed fans felt the same after FO ’09, and the rest was/is gravy. I am all into him capturing more titles but as a fan I am content also.

Let the other ones chase now, they have a very long way to go. Imo Fed has had an unexpected great run after USO to Madrid late in his career. Great stuff from the Maestro.

June 8th, 2012 at 5:12 pm

conty, really enjoyed your last couple of posts :)

June 8th, 2012 at 5:52 pm

Federer until 2007 he has 26 against pre peak Nadal and Djokovic Brando, no forget that W 2007 and Us open 2007, could be to Rafa in SW 19 and to Nole on Flushing Meadows. No way that Federer win 11 slam with peak Nadal and Djokovic in that 4 years.

Rodick, Hewitt, Safin, Nalbandain there are not multiple grand slam champions material like Rafael and Novak are.
Rodick. A better Ivanisevic.
Safin and the Argentine full of talent but very, very undisciplined.
Hewitt= Courier 2

No one can deny that.

June 8th, 2012 at 5:56 pm

I do not try dismisses all record had hold the Swiss, he is perhaps the more talented player- I still choose Mc Enroe- ever, but Nadal and Djokovic are better competitors than him, his 4 years of domination was magical but overestimated because lack of REAL rivals and no crap competitors like Safin (womanizer), Nalbandian (the best in talent worst in be professional), Ferrero (bad luck cause injury) Hewitt and Roddick are limited tennis players, the real rivals was a teenager who try to learn to adapt his skills in another surfaces
And a young talent he appeared in 2007, specialist on hardcourts, very temperamental and lack of experience who evolution delayed.
Fed is a magician yes, I accept that, is no doubt it, but his achievements are inflated cause a gap of REAL peak competitors like Nadal and Djokovic are, true geniuses in their manner.
Imagine if Nadal had not had Serbian in recent years, had won the barbarity of GS as Federer did in their golden years. Who would be the well-worn GOAT? If not for Djokovic, Nadal had left on Sunday for his fifth straight major!
So, to paraphrase Raymond Carver, What We Talk About When We Talk About Tennis?. The facts as they are, can not be changed, we can only observe and between Spanish and Serbian geste the biggest rivalry in the history of the sport, like it or not Federer fans. If the answer is no, you can see other sports and leave others alone. That’s all we can ask.

June 8th, 2012 at 6:24 pm

Steve 27, completely agreed. Those facts do not downgrade Federer’s talent and skill. They are just facts.
From Đoković’s perspective, it was/is much harder for him to get to No.1 and stay there, considering the competition – he had/has to overcome two of the GOAT candidates (by most ppls accounts), and oftenly back to back, no less.

Federer never had that kind of competition in his heyday. That’s not to say that he wouldn’t have been better than Nole/Rafa – if all of them could somehow play against eachother in their peak. It’s just that Fed probably (almost certainly) wouldn’t have the record he achieved to date.

June 8th, 2012 at 6:42 pm

Go Rafa and Sharapova!!!!!!

June 8th, 2012 at 6:45 pm

@conty: it cool- I completely understand your reasoning’s. Good luck to fed at wimby- hope he does well.

June 8th, 2012 at 9:07 pm

Kimberly,

Half agree with you, go Nole and Sharapova:)

June 8th, 2012 at 9:11 pm

Put it this way, we are all blessed to have these three blokes playing at the same time, three different games three champs, doen’t happen often so lets enjoy it while we can.
I need a coffee , strong one, and shot of brandy to kick start my day. Old fashion way in my old country.
Cheers

June 8th, 2012 at 9:16 pm

We are cool madmax. I still watch the old videos. And already miss him as he was in his glory days. I just started the separation process, or whatever you want to call it, sooner than many Fed fans.

Actually, Brando, I will be, perhaps in futility, cheering Andy Murray at Wimbledon. He’s 25 and the mantra here for me is, “Murray will win a GS”, repeat and repeat…

June 8th, 2012 at 9:30 pm

WogBoy why not just go for a beer and a shot :)

Oh and EURO2012 started off today, I had to give up watching the opening matches so I could watch Đoko-Fed. After Sunday’s FO final, it’s all football until the Olympics. We have a hot sports summer ahead. Cheers! :)

June 8th, 2012 at 9:57 pm

kriket,

I am not a big beer drinker besides it is winter time here, plum brandy will do nicely:)

June 8th, 2012 at 10:59 pm

Oh, it’s winter over there. Here it’s all but a full blown summer. Spent all night shirtless in a shorts, and still I felt hot :)

Just hope the rain doesn’t ruin it on sunday (as some have said it might).

June 8th, 2012 at 11:15 pm

Just can’t understand the doom and gloom pretidcted further for Roger. The conditions were so slow, but Roger was timing the ball so well. Just that he never showed any inspiration to win, having known Nadal is in the finals.

I believe except Rafa, Roger has good chances against any opponent including Novak. Novak does not have anything special which is going to hurt Roger. If Roger uses his all court tennis, then Novak cannot beat him.

June 8th, 2012 at 11:40 pm

Nirmal,

Do you really mean what you are saying ? Are you implying that Roger tanked the match afraid of meeting Nadal in the finals. I do not think that is a fair assessment of a Champion like Roger. It is just that Roger had a bad day in Office. If what you are saying is true, then the same thing should have happened in 2011 also when Roger beat Novak playing his best tennis. That time too, Roger knew that Nadal was in the finals.

June 9th, 2012 at 1:55 am

Michael,

Last year the quality of tennis Roger playing was different and also same applies Rafa. It was obvious that Roger was playing the best tennis in the tournament and Rafa was not at his best.

Things are different this year. If you look at the way Roger has been commenting, it was obvious he thought he stands no chance against Nadal. It was not the case last year. Balls were different and conditions were pretty fast.

The tanking of Roger I believe is more to do with the setup for Wimbledon. I don’t think Roger wanted to face Rafa at Wimbledon after losing badly to him at FO. Most likely he would have remembered what happened on 2008. The scar of losing so badly did not go away for first 2 sets.

June 9th, 2012 at 2:23 am

Steve 27 Says:
Federer until 2007 he has 26 against pre peak Nadal and Djokovic Brando, no forget that W 2007 and Us open 2007, could be to Rafa in SW 19 and to Nole on Flushing Meadows. No way that Federer win 11 slam with peak Nadal and Djokovic in that 4 years.

Steve, you can’t say that, but you just did. It just means you could apply that to Laver’s achievements and everyone else pre rafa. That’s just rubbish. You simply have to look at the stats and what Roger has achived. The players he played against were awesome players, Roddick was one ofthe best servcers in th game, and Hewitt, a great opponent, full of tenacity, still has that, but the hip is inhibiting him now.

What Roger has done for tennis and during the 4 years and 8 months that he was at the top, no one has done. And has been said so often before, rafa’s edge comes on clay, he is mighty, no one denies that. No one. But don’t say he is the greatest on all surfaces because he just isn’t and the fats prove that.

What Novak has done over the last 18 months has been phenomenal, thank goodness for novak. I just wish that muray could have his own tennis growth spurt, like novak. But to downgrade Fed’s achievements is just not understanding the wider influences that this man has had on the game.

June 9th, 2012 at 6:01 am

My typing is poor today. You know what I mean.

June 9th, 2012 at 6:02 am

I understand your point, but I disagree. Is Hewitt and Roddick at the same level of Nadal or Djokovic?. I don’t think so. Even Murray has all more tools than those two. Murray fail is in his head. I expect this will be his fist Wimbledon finals with Nadal of course if there no clash between these two in sf, I hope so. Cheers Madmax!

June 11th, 2012 at 11:56 am