2020 Australian Open SF: Novak Djokovic [2] vs Roger Federer [3]
- Thread starter Tenacity
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abmk
Bionic Poster
4 walkovers :
2008 vs Blake at Paris masters was the 1st
2012 vs tsonga at doha was 2nd
2014 vs djokovic at YEC was 3rd
2019 vs tsitsipas at rome was 4th
only had to look up tsitsipas name among those
I totally understand if players withdraw or pull out, I cannot understand players who leave it till the last second. If he does pull out, he needs to do it like a few hours before the match so people who are travelling for this session don't have to. It's bad enough to not get to see a match, it's even worse to have to travel there when you didn't have to. He pulled the same stunt when he withdrew in the ATP Finals against Djokovic a couple of years ago. People wasted their time and money travelling to the O2 arena.
Roddick85
Hall of Fame
I don't think it's a big deal that Federer skips practice, he's had plenty of court time so far so it's probably wiser to try and maximize his recovery as much as possible. Now if he's healthy enough to play or not is a great question. If he has any belief he can win and make it competitive in his current condition, I think he will play, after all this is a SF match and who knows if he will ever make another SF or better, time not on his side anymore.
When you look at both players current run, one would have to favor Djokovic in straight sets, it's the logical choice here. The fan in me though likes to think that Federer will be going into this match as a massive underdog with virtually 0 pressure to perform and that could be dangerous. Fed has struggled for the most part all tournament long, but you never know when he will find his form. With Djokovic on the other side of the net, he could very well play good enough to cause an upset...or get slaughtered. Either way, it will be interesting to see how the situation evolves.
When you look at both players current run, one would have to favor Djokovic in straight sets, it's the logical choice here. The fan in me though likes to think that Federer will be going into this match as a massive underdog with virtually 0 pressure to perform and that could be dangerous. Fed has struggled for the most part all tournament long, but you never know when he will find his form. With Djokovic on the other side of the net, he could very well play good enough to cause an upset...or get slaughtered. Either way, it will be interesting to see how the situation evolves.
beard
Legend
Your book is full of bs
beard
Legend
Two days, 10 hours, to be precise...
That's a good point. I mean, you never know and I'm not jinxing, because honestly, my expectations are quite low.
However, I totally didn't think about that aspect. Fed has been expected to trounce all of his opponents in straights so far. (Tsitsipas would've been someone who he may have been expected to struggle against but he didn't get that far).
Djokovic is the first match where Fed is truly the under dog... which does take pressure off.
imonfire
Rookie
A loss is a loss, but nowadays Fed fans have to be happy with Fed achieving less.
It is not good having to settle for less, it is what it is, and small additions to his legacy are welcome, like surviving Sandgren to reach SF. When Nole is near 38 years old and, perhaps, in a similar situation, you may feel similar.
You really need to do your research before you type. Federer pulled out minutes before he was due to play Djokovic in the Tour Finals a couple of years ago.
Sysyphus
Talk Tennis Guru
I had a dream of how the match will transpire – it will be 40–15 all over again.
It's dark in the Rod Laver Arena now. The great Laver himself has seemingly fallen asleep in the stands but is abruptly awoken by the elbow of his companion. Can't snooze now, history is about to be made. Federer steps out to serve. This is his chance, it is do or die. The crowd is drunk with that fleeting sense of inevitability.
He sends down a first serve; Djokovic returns it deep, and Federer sends a forehand long. He's feeling the pressure, Rog.
0–15.
Federer misses a first serve. He's nervous now, somebody disrupts him in the crowd, mom's spaghetti. Second serve. A rally ensues, Djokovic is trying to pin down Fed in his backhand corner. But the wily old Swiss eventually manages to run around it and hit a couple of pressuring forehands. Novak sends a scrambling forehand wide of the sideline.
15–15. Mirka folds her hand in front of her slumped head and closed eyes. Her nerves are worn thin from this tiresome drama. Why do I always come to these matches? I could be shopping for garish Gucci garments.
Federer slams an ace down the tee, the Serbian isn't able to even make a reach for it.
30–15. The cute girls with Swiss-flag-painted cheeks are positively beaming now -- they are starting to believe.
A determined Maestro swipes another bullet down the middle, right on the intersection of the service lines, and Novak can only stumble after the ball.
40–15. The arena is buzzing. Some white-clad middle-aged blonde lady is waving her index finger triumphantly. It's really happening. Federer is going to get his chance at rectifying history.
Another big serve. But it just clips the top of the net and bounces barely back inside Fed's service box. Fate is a harsh mistress.
Federer sends a second serve into Novak's forehand corner, trying to catch him by surprise at this crucial juncture. But the yogi guru is in tune with his senses, anticipates it, and sends a deep forehand return toward Fed's feet. Under the weight of the pressure, Roger takes some cramped steps to his left, trying to get there in time to hit the winning inside out forehand into the Serb's empty backhand corner. But he's a step too late, the shot is too difficult, the ball sails just wide.
40–30. It's OK, still ahead.
He finds the first serve now, but it's too far from any line, Nole gets his stringbed on it with ease and safely blocks it back over the net. Ball's in your court now, Rog, whatcha gonna do? The Swiss Baghdatis-conquering genius once more runs around the backhand, fires out a forehand approach shot whose lacking length would make his friend and underling Roddick sentimental, and he storms the net like a bison headed for the water hole. Novak hits a pinpoint-accurate forehand cross that sails past his rival like a ship of broken dreams.
Deuce.
He's annoyed now, the great one. It was supposed to be over by now. I should be making dad jokes with Mac or Courier now. He fires of his trademark wide serve, but it just misses the line. Gotta go safe on the second serve. A rally ensues, but his rival is inspired now, slowly wrestling away the initiative of the rally, finally unleashing a hard inside-in forehand that Federer can only dump low in the net.
Ad. Djokovic.
Ring the alarm bells. Send in the clowns. There's a frown on his face now, something close to a shrug of resignation. This, again? "I really should be skiing in the Swiss Alps, not swimming around in this sticky mud." But he finds a first serve, although once more not the usual surgical accuracy. Novak once more sends a mean forehand cross-court, forcing the old man to run, something he must admit he doesn't much enjoy doing anymore, not that he ever truly did. But it doesn't matter, none of it matters, he's not going to have to run anymore now -- the forehand plunges anticlimactically into the middle of the net. Something like a whimper, except much louder, runs through the crowd in Rod Laver Arena.
6–2, 6–2, 6–1 Djokovic.
It's dark in the Rod Laver Arena now. The great Laver himself has seemingly fallen asleep in the stands but is abruptly awoken by the elbow of his companion. Can't snooze now, history is about to be made. Federer steps out to serve. This is his chance, it is do or die. The crowd is drunk with that fleeting sense of inevitability.
He sends down a first serve; Djokovic returns it deep, and Federer sends a forehand long. He's feeling the pressure, Rog.
0–15.
Federer misses a first serve. He's nervous now, somebody disrupts him in the crowd, mom's spaghetti. Second serve. A rally ensues, Djokovic is trying to pin down Fed in his backhand corner. But the wily old Swiss eventually manages to run around it and hit a couple of pressuring forehands. Novak sends a scrambling forehand wide of the sideline.
15–15. Mirka folds her hand in front of her slumped head and closed eyes. Her nerves are worn thin from this tiresome drama. Why do I always come to these matches? I could be shopping for garish Gucci garments.
Federer slams an ace down the tee, the Serbian isn't able to even make a reach for it.
30–15. The cute girls with Swiss-flag-painted cheeks are positively beaming now -- they are starting to believe.
A determined Maestro swipes another bullet down the middle, right on the intersection of the service lines, and Novak can only stumble after the ball.
40–15. The arena is buzzing. Some white-clad middle-aged blonde lady is waving her index finger triumphantly. It's really happening. Federer is going to get his chance at rectifying history.
Another big serve. But it just clips the top of the net and bounces barely back inside Fed's service box. Fate is a harsh mistress.
Federer sends a second serve into Novak's forehand corner, trying to catch him by surprise at this crucial juncture. But the yogi guru is in tune with his senses, anticipates it, and sends a deep forehand return toward Fed's feet. Under the weight of the pressure, Roger takes some cramped steps to his left, trying to get there in time to hit the winning inside out forehand into the Serb's empty backhand corner. But he's a step too late, the shot is too difficult, the ball sails just wide.
40–30. It's OK, still ahead.
He finds the first serve now, but it's too far from any line, Nole gets his stringbed on it with ease and safely blocks it back over the net. Ball's in your court now, Rog, whatcha gonna do? The Swiss Baghdatis-conquering genius once more runs around the backhand, fires out a forehand approach shot whose lacking length would make his friend and underling Roddick sentimental, and he storms the net like a bison headed for the water hole. Novak hits a pinpoint-accurate forehand cross that sails past his rival like a ship of broken dreams.
Deuce.
He's annoyed now, the great one. It was supposed to be over by now. I should be making dad jokes with Mac or Courier now. He fires of his trademark wide serve, but it just misses the line. Gotta go safe on the second serve. A rally ensues, but his rival is inspired now, slowly wrestling away the initiative of the rally, finally unleashing a hard inside-in forehand that Federer can only dump low in the net.
Ad. Djokovic.
Ring the alarm bells. Send in the clowns. There's a frown on his face now, something close to a shrug of resignation. This, again? "I really should be skiing in the Swiss Alps, not swimming around in this sticky mud." But he finds a first serve, although once more not the usual surgical accuracy. Novak once more sends a mean forehand cross-court, forcing the old man to run, something he must admit he doesn't much enjoy doing anymore, not that he ever truly did. But it doesn't matter, none of it matters, he's not going to have to run anymore now -- the forehand plunges anticlimactically into the middle of the net. Something like a whimper, except much louder, runs through the crowd in Rod Laver Arena.
6–2, 6–2, 6–1 Djokovic.
Last edited:
swordtennis
G.O.A.T.
Good god i might put the barrel in my mouth pull the trigger as i jump off a bridge after reading that. Severely depressed right now.
Martin J
Hall of Fame
TheGhostOfAgassi
Talk Tennis Guru
That’s why I rarely reads what he writes when it’s more than 2-3 lines.
Djokovic_is_the_best#1
Bionic Poster
Meles
Bionic Poster
wangs78
Legend
People are crazy if they think this match will be a quick demolition. Fed and Djokovic have always matched up well, which is why their matches have always been pretty tight (except a couple of times when Roger was zoning and crushed Nole). Assuming Fed is physically ok to play (not 100% but also not nearly immobile like in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th sets against Sandgren), he's going to create a few opportunities for himself and it will be tense. In all likelihood, Nole will erase every one of those opportunities but not before Roger gives the fans something to hold its collective breath on. I'm looking forward to it.
But I am debating if I should try to wake up at 3am to watch it. Anyone else on the East coast facing this dilemma? I have no interest watching a Federer defeat but a win would be electrifying. It would actually reverse the pain from last year's Wimby loss given the current circumstances with Roger being the huge underdog.
But I am debating if I should try to wake up at 3am to watch it. Anyone else on the East coast facing this dilemma? I have no interest watching a Federer defeat but a win would be electrifying. It would actually reverse the pain from last year's Wimby loss given the current circumstances with Roger being the huge underdog.
swordtennis
G.O.A.T.
The great roger federer reduced to a broken shell of a once glorious past. Sad times lol.
TheGhostOfAgassi
Talk Tennis Guru
I’m a Rafa fan and I am not that sad for the loss cause the happiness for Thiem going to SF is bigger!
A part of me feel the big 3 are getting a bit boring... It’s been chewed so many times. Been discussed the very micro part of it, they have played record many times against each other... the feeling of having Zverev or Thiem in a final makes me very excited. I’m so ready for this and the wait has been long!!
swordtennis
G.O.A.T.
Yeah it
You better root for nadal still if you are his fan! I have been wanting djokovic to be challenged by the young guns. Fedal have had their day and want djokovic to be the last at the top and battle the younguns.
PrinceMoron
Legend
Expect Federer to take the game to Djokovic straight off. Then it starts to get interesting when Djokovic needs to win the second set.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
TheGhostOfAgassi
Talk Tennis Guru
My husband who is a Novak fan was more sad than me for Rafas loss
I’ll always support him but I’m not that crazy of a fan I don’t get happy when others win, specially Thiem, Zverev and Tsitsipas. I’ve been wanting someone new to really step up.
I don’t like Wawrinka at all, so Zverevs win over him was super sweet! More positives for me than negatives this AO. If it was like Cilic and Wawrinka, Federer and Novak left... Id probably not even watch the SF and the final now. I zone out, gets too boring.
Martin J
Hall of Fame
Just saw the forecast for Melbourne this night, 33 celsius degrees at 8pm, with humidity of only 25%. The conditions should be fairly fast and it will be interesting to see if the servers will be successful in their service games.
On the other hand, the final will be played under the cold weather (only 22c).
On the other hand, the final will be played under the cold weather (only 22c).
BeatlesFan
Bionic Poster
@OTMPut You mean the Corretja USO match where Pete was vomiting on court, but still won?
I would love Novak to win comfortably but i am certainly not as optimisric as some on here. Very rarely in the history of all their matches as Novak thrashed Roger the way some people on here think he will. The fact remains their recent hard court battles have been tough and in their grand slam meetings they always usually end up in tough 4 or 5 setters.
I think Roger has very little pressure on him and will come out swinging, i expect at least 4 hard fought sets, possibly even a 5 setter which Novak will edge.
I think Roger has very little pressure on him and will come out swinging, i expect at least 4 hard fought sets, possibly even a 5 setter which Novak will edge.
World Beater
Hall of Fame
in general i agree.
but at the ausopen, djok has dominated Federer. the only victory fed got was when novak was 20/21 ? 2006 or 2007?
but at the ausopen, djok has dominated Federer. the only victory fed got was when novak was 20/21 ? 2006 or 2007?
TearTheRoofOff
G.O.A.T.
LOL!
TearTheRoofOff
G.O.A.T.
Man, your optimism is undying.
On paper yeah but it was like a pity set at least 2011 and 2008 where 3 competitive sets that 2016 was a blowout
Get up and watch!
I mean, does a loss really hurt less if you only read about it instead of seeing it? And on the other hand, how much greater would a win be if you watch it. I guess you would regret it so much that you didn’t trust Roger that you wouldn’t even be able to be thorougly happy.
Also, as you said, there will always be chances and moments of hope, and even if he loses these moments would be worth watching.
swordtennis
G.O.A.T.
Ditto on Wawrinka. Djokovic has always been nice to him and he recently threw him under the bus. Stilll do not know why djokovic is still friends with him. Back stabber.My husband who is a Novak fan was more sad than me for Rafas loss
I’ll always support him but I’m not that crazy of a fan I don’t get happy when others win, specially Thiem, Zverev and Tsitsipas. I’ve been wanting someone new to really step up.
I don’t like Wawrinka at all, so Zverevs win over him was super sweet! More positives for me than negatives this AO. If it was like Cilic and Wawrinka, Federer and Novak left... Id probably not even watch the SF and the final now. I zone out, gets too boring.
swordtennis
G.O.A.T.
@Djokovic_is_the_best#1 i will be here for the match. Other Nolefams?
Mike Sams
G.O.A.T.
How could any woman not love Stan the Man???My husband who is a Novak fan was more sad than me for Rafas loss
I’ll always support him but I’m not that crazy of a fan I don’t get happy when others win, specially Thiem, Zverev and Tsitsipas. I’ve been wanting someone new to really step up.
I don’t like Wawrinka at all, so Zverevs win over him was super sweet! More positives for me than negatives this AO. If it was like Cilic and Wawrinka, Federer and Novak left... Id probably not even watch the SF and the final now. I zone out, gets too boring.
Big_Dangerous
Talk Tennis Guru
TheGhostOfAgassi
Talk Tennis Guru
This forum is a strange thing. In here Stan is considered hot, not Rafa, Zverev and Tsitsipas. It’s the opposite in the real world out there.How could any woman not love Stan the Man???
Wawrinkas serve is the most unsexy serve known to man.
swordtennis
G.O.A.T.
War for freedumb = war against freedom.Last time I checked, Australia also has freedom. Sorry to tell you that, mate.
Mike Sams
G.O.A.T.
I don't know if it's looks or something else about Stan that people on here find appealing. Could be that monster backhand.
But I think he has some sort of presence about him when he takes the court which sparks fear in the Djokovic fans on this forum.... All 2 of them.
swordtennis
G.O.A.T.
Mike Sams is on fire today lol. Where the hell is @Sunny Ali? He is the only one who.can calm him down when he blasts through with machetes in both hands!
TheGhostOfAgassi
Talk Tennis Guru
It also can be that Fed fans love that Wawrinka has taken out Novak in slams and preserved Feds record which makes them like him so muchI don't know if it's looks or something else about Stan that people on here find appealing. Could be that monster backhand.
But I think he has some sort of presence about him when he takes the court which sparks fear in the Djokovic fans on this forum.... All 2 of them.
it’s often like that in here it seems. I haven’t liked him long time mainly cause of off court things.
Mike Sams
G.O.A.T.
But if Stan and Djokovic had been slated to play in a Slam, Nadal fans would jump on the Stan-wagon as well for that 1 night. So that Nadal could avoid Djokovic.It also can be that Fed fans love that Wawrinka has taken out Novak in slams and preserved Feds record which makes them like him so much
I haven’t liked him long time mainly cause of off court things.
Big_Dangerous
Talk Tennis Guru
I got a feeling a little accident is gonna happen to Djokovic that will prevent him from playing tennis tonight.
TheGhostOfAgassi
Talk Tennis Guru
I wouldn’t do that, I like Novak.
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