Poll: Novak Djokovic Or Rafael Nadal, Who’ll Win Their French Open Semifinal Showdown?

RAFAAA

June 5th, 2013 at 2:43 pm

Where’s the poll for Tsonga/Ferru? Shouldn’t that be up first? Never mind, I’ll just go ahead and cast my vote: Ferru for the win.

June 5th, 2013 at 2:57 pm

Rafa, maximum 4 sets. And, like nadalista said, I think Ferru will broke Tsongas heart.

June 5th, 2013 at 3:06 pm

i want Ferrer

June 5th, 2013 at 3:12 pm

Novaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaak!!!!

June 5th, 2013 at 3:24 pm

Rafa the favourite. He’ll do it in 4 sets. Don’t see a 5 setter.

June 5th, 2013 at 3:28 pm

Big (t)ask, but oh well – Ajde Noleeeeeee! :)

June 5th, 2013 at 3:32 pm

The forecast is sunny and warm, so my head says Nadal but it wouldn’t surprise me if Nole found a way. 60/40

June 5th, 2013 at 4:04 pm

Confidently predicting Nole in 4.

June 5th, 2013 at 4:06 pm

Hey, DA, bet you money in Rafa, Djokovic has nothing to do.

June 5th, 2013 at 4:11 pm

Nole should comfortably beat Nadal in straight sets, clearing the path for him to finally clench the one outstanding grand slam title. To be fair, with all the hard work Djokovic has done over the past few years, biting at the heals of Rafa & Roger, it’s great to see that he has come into his own, and elevated the game once more. Both Rafa and Roger are key to Nole’s success and rise from being 3rd best, to truly, the worlds best. Rafa & Roger are undisputedly some of, if not, the greatest players there has ever been in the open era. However, it would be deservedly refreshing to see Djokovic go all the way and put his own stamp on the history of this sport. 3 should not be a crowd in the ‘elite club’ or ‘greatest of all time’.

June 5th, 2013 at 4:16 pm

Nadaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaal!

June 5th, 2013 at 4:28 pm

I think they could end up killing each other which would be the only hope for Jo or Daveed on the other side of the draw,the sentimental part of me cannot stop myself from thinking how fantastic it would be for one of those two players to win their 1st ever GS,been a Rafa fan i suppose that sounds terrible.

June 5th, 2013 at 4:50 pm

Going with Nole. But then again, I went with Fed over Tsonga, so what do I know?

June 5th, 2013 at 4:52 pm

Heart said something but reality show another thing. Keep it up!

June 5th, 2013 at 5:17 pm

alison. Are you for real??

June 5th, 2013 at 5:22 pm

alison, in sport you can not be compassionate
if you earn well, but to do the opponent, you can not show weakness.

June 5th, 2013 at 5:36 pm

This is by far worst RG Nadal played score wise. He only managed 2 6-1 sets and no bagel. He lost first sets in 2 matches and almost lost a set to Fogini?!?!
I sau Djoko can do a better job than they had and it is not goin to be the suniest day, jut not cold temperature, kinda of neutral.
I think this time Djoko gets the job done. People are forgeting MC too soon. If Djoko starts winning first set I can see him straight seting Nadal in RG. If henloses first set could be a drama match.

June 5th, 2013 at 5:38 pm

hippy chic –

It says you are a balanced tennis fan. Who could not be happy for Tsonga or Daveed?

June 5th, 2013 at 5:43 pm

Just like to point out that Djokovic just progressed to his 12th straight slam semi. Second on the all time list (behind Federer’s 150,000 and in front of Lendl’s 11).

June 5th, 2013 at 5:43 pm

I don’t care for Ferrer but it would be pretty epic if Tsonga won exactly 30 years after the last French player to do it.

June 5th, 2013 at 5:43 pm

Giles/Steve 27 i would love for Rafa to win RG of course i would,goes without saying,what i meant was how amazing it would be for a player to win a GS who hasnt won a GS before,thats all i meant,a hypothetical senario is all im talking about(sigh).

June 5th, 2013 at 5:44 pm

Are you kidding me? Almost lost a set with 35 old veteran, and you said straights? Do us a favor, put on some glasses and look better.

June 5th, 2013 at 5:46 pm

Nole is second on that list after Fed for consecutive quarterfinals at the slams, too, Ben, with 16 in a row now (Lendl had 14 QFs, and actually he had only 10 semis in a row).

June 5th, 2013 at 5:47 pm

Thankyou Contador,i just meant hypothetically speaking,although now im preparing to get torn to pieces by my fellow Rafa fans,it wouldnt be the 1st time either.

June 5th, 2013 at 5:49 pm

To me I care Ferru and hope that the French do cry all day.

Larmes et plus de larmes

June 5th, 2013 at 5:50 pm

But I just voted for Nole in the semi – I am sure you voted Rafa. Fair enough. It will be a good match, I hope. But there is a chance that the winner will be wounded as well and I could see Tsonga take advantage of that – not too sure about Ferrer. I vote for Tsonga in the other semi.

Thinking there is a good chance both semi’s go to 5 sets – the strongest man wins.

June 5th, 2013 at 5:51 pm

I can’t wait!!

June 5th, 2013 at 5:55 pm

Here is Peter Bodo’s title for that semi:

“Armageddon, The Sequel”

Just hope it will be Rafa’s Armageddon…

June 5th, 2013 at 5:55 pm

Contador yeah true however time will tell,hope like you say that they are both great matches whatever happens ;).

June 5th, 2013 at 5:57 pm

Hi, alison!

If I am clever, won’t watch that match. I intend to have a really long life..

June 5th, 2013 at 6:05 pm

Hi Mat4 lol,i know the feeling,tennis is not for the faint hearted,my late father used to say to me that he always enjoyed a football match more(as he hated tennis),when he didnt give a f*ck who wins,draw your own conclusion :).

June 5th, 2013 at 6:09 pm

hippy chic, I don’t have a strong impression yet on the semi. I mean I picked Nole in my bracket and had a feeling then but it is not overwhelming. I think it will go the distance a full 5 sets.

I guessed wrong on Federer’s half. Tsonga rolling Fed was a surprise…so I don’t know. Looking at both Tsonga and Ferrer and the circumstances that match will likely be a long one too 4 or 5 sets.

So whoever comes out in each match in better shape will win FO. It is simply exciting for a tennis fan to think out of 4 players left, 3 of them have not won the title and 2 of them have never won a GS – that is exciting!

June 5th, 2013 at 6:11 pm

Contador yeah exactly my thoughts,and just to add Daveed might be extra motivated too,having never actually made a GS final,i like Jo but im pulling for Daveed on that side of the draw.

June 5th, 2013 at 6:15 pm

The final with more history attached to it would be Djoko x Tsonga. Either ine completes career Slam or the other wiuld be a house player winning after 30 years. Nadal winning also would add history as he will be the first to win a Slam in 9 consecutive years. This Slam smells history on the making, actually almost all Slams in this age of Fedal and now Djoko.

Steve 27
I said that because to me I can see it easier for Djoko to straig set Nadal than Nadal straight settig Djoko, based onnprevious meetings. Nadal is having a hardntime beating Djokovic while the contrary is not true, even though their matches are well contested, Djoko looks the dominant player most of the time.

June 5th, 2013 at 6:18 pm

Alison, heart and mind, I’m with Rafa. He looks good to be the first ever to win a single Slam for the 8th time. But like you, I wouldn’t feel too bad if Ferrer or Tsonga won either since they’re such good players with no GS to show.
But that’s very unlikely to happen. The way Rafa tried to dominate every point against Wawrinka today, I think he’ll fight to win his 8th RG like his life depends on it.

June 5th, 2013 at 6:19 pm

I get what you mean, hippy chic. Of course as a Rafa fan you want him to win, and so do I….but if he happens not to, the other scenario would be OK for a player that has never won.

Vamos Rafa and take it all the way, that’s what I’m talkin’ about!!!!!!

June 5th, 2013 at 6:20 pm

I like Daniels take on the results,history will be made with whichever one of the 4 players wins,Rafa going for no8,and a GS for 9 consecutive years,Novak a career GS,Jo winning his ist GS and doing it in front of his home crowd,Daveed getting to his 1st ever GS final,and winning his 1st GS,im so excited,cannot wait.

June 5th, 2013 at 6:27 pm

Am I the only one who thinks Rafa can beat Nole in 3 tight sets this Friday? I think he can, but Nole might fight hard and take a set.

June 5th, 2013 at 6:28 pm

James, you are not alone. Vamos, Rafa!

June 5th, 2013 at 6:36 pm

I feel sorry for anyone facing a Frenchman at RG…that is a nasty crowd you have to deal with. They turned on their own countryman the other day…….all for the sake of seeing more tennis!! They are a fickle bunch of people.

June 5th, 2013 at 6:39 pm

Steve, I actually think Rafa can do it in 3 sets. I hope he does. But I think it could take 4 too. I still doubt he will need to take it to 5.

June 5th, 2013 at 6:52 pm

Okiegal, I wouldn’t worry too much about the crowd. I’d focus more on playing as good as I can. That’s what any player facing a French player at RG should do. If they appreciate good tennis, they’ll begin to appreciate you too.

June 5th, 2013 at 6:54 pm

Surprised by how many people think Ferrer takes out JWT. I don’t see it. Tsonga has both the power and youth advantage. And he’s playing really well on top of all that. To me at least, Ferrer is destined to be the bridesmaid and never the bride. I’m still trying to figure out how pulled that Houdini act on Almagro in Australia.

Best line I heard from this year’s FO…someone on the Tennis Network or USA or whatever said when Almagro had Robredo down 2 sets to love…”I guess Robredo has Alamgro right where he wants him.” Very funny stuff…and ultimately true.

June 5th, 2013 at 9:50 pm

@James 6:54

Tennis being an individual sport, I really don’t see how they can even play when the crowd gets it in for you. How in the world could you tune all of it out? But, for the most part they manage to stay focused. I have seen players fold up like a cheap suit when the crowd got too crazy.

I feel sure Rafa will bring his A-game. He might just have a new strategy too. Vamos, Rafa, Okiegal will be cheering for you!!!!

June 5th, 2013 at 10:08 pm

too tough to call. hopefully it won’t be a five hour+ affair is all i have to say…..

June 5th, 2013 at 11:39 pm

Well honestly I want Novak to win this one and complete the elusive career Grand slam to strengthen his profile still further. But things are not going to be too easy and Novak should be prepared for a marathon match and if he takes Rafa to the precipice then he has more chances to win. The advantage for Novak rests on the fact that now-a-days Rafa gets too tired by the end of third set. So what is important for Novak is to stay on, not take foot off the peddal and wait for Nadal to crumble.

June 6th, 2013 at 12:45 am

Another advantage for Novak will be the Paris Crowd which will be rooting for him considering that they need a new winner. This might give him an extra initiative and boost in this gladiator contest.

June 6th, 2013 at 12:46 am

They’ll be running around the court like a couple of jack rabbits, I for one can not wait!! Vamos Rafa, you are the king of clay. Good luck at the semis and hope to see you in the finals.!!

I said a few posts back what I think about the French crowd, yes they will be for Novak,but Rafa can handle it.

June 6th, 2013 at 12:57 am

@SGI
That’s so funny and so true!

June 6th, 2013 at 1:12 am

I said a few posts back what I think about the French crowd, yes they will be for Novak,but Rafa can handle it.
Like Ferru, too.

June 6th, 2013 at 1:15 am

@Okiegal
I remember when Andy came onto the court at RG against Gasquet, the crowd booed him. He just gave a small sardonic smile. By the end of the match the crowd were booing Gasquet. Best way to handle a hostile crowd. But there again Andy is a huge fan of boxing where the crowds are even more raucous and partisan than at tennis matches.

June 6th, 2013 at 1:18 am

Ben, Federer’s 1,50,000 ????

June 6th, 2013 at 1:43 am

Andy Murray loves a good booing and hissing from the crowd – the expression on Andy’s face and the response from him was the perfect!

I am a bit of a Frenchie in heart, though.

June 6th, 2013 at 1:45 am

@contador
I love France- fabulous countryside, old unspoiled towns, wonderful, people, and an independent film culture which really appreciates Ken Loach. Splendide!

June 6th, 2013 at 1:55 am

You should remove the “Don’t know” and “Don’t care” parts in your polls as they are useless. They don’t add any value, insight or precision.

June 6th, 2013 at 2:52 am

VAM8S KING!!

June 6th, 2013 at 4:48 am

Michael Novak has to get past Rafa and actually make the final 1st,then he would have to beat either Jo or Daveed who have also both been playing great,i think it would be more difficult against Jo than David,Novak got pretty lucky last year when Jo choked away all those match points,so getting past Rafa doesnt mean that the title is nesassarily all of a sudden a gimee for Novak by any means.

June 6th, 2013 at 6:11 am

@Margot

As I said, they can turn against you in a New York minute. I truly think as a player, it would have to add extra pressure. I have heard athletes comment that is when they play better under those conditions. So to each his own. Rafa’s mental toughness is superb, but he does get rattled from time to time. He says himself that he gets very nervous…..and you know what???
He wouldnt be human if he didn’t.

Vamos, Rafa!!

Eranni finally won a game.

June 6th, 2013 at 1:11 pm

Tennis Hippy Chic/Alison,

Yeah true. A win for Novak is by no means assured even if he manages to beat Rafa. But I think more than the Championship, if Novak beats Rafa, then I think it will be counted as one of the monumental achievements in Tennis. It will carry its own weight. I would say more than a Championship victory, Novak might prefer that.

June 7th, 2013 at 12:58 am