Say hello to the 2013 french open champion

[veroniquem]

Originally Posted by malbaker86

what has Novak done on clay to be the favorite?

He's had the best clay results after Rafa recently. Won 2 clay masters in 2011. Made 2 masters + RG final last year.

[vandre]

Originally Posted by egn

Tournament 1 after missing 8 months of play. Sure he lost to Zeballos, but did you see the way he creamed Chardy. Zeballos was playing with tempo and exposing some weaknesses in Nadal's current game. However I doubt Nadal is too worried. Nadal's whole point of playing this week was to get back in action. He's going to play a full blown clay court schedule just so he can regain his form. I do not worry about Nadal right now. Let's see how he is in April. That is a lot of time. He started off his European 05 run with a lost to Andreev, which most have forgotten by now. Nadal is beatable again on clay, I think that is clear, but to say he has no chance and to give Djokovic the French Open is ridiculous. Djokovic has only made one final in the past two years, he can still lose early as well, lets not jump the gun.

nadal looked rusty in the final. he was leaving shots and serves short and zeballos took advantage. more matchplay will help. i didn't see any indications that he's got lingering injuries.

[Clarky21]

Originally Posted by vandre

nadal looked rusty in the final. he was leaving shots and serves short and zeballos took advantage. more matchplay will help. i didn't see any indications that he's got lingering injuries.

He's been leaving all of his shots so short they barely clear the net. Nadal needs to get on the practice court and hit returns and groundstrokes till his arm falls off. His game is crap right now.

[malbaker86]

Originally Posted by Clarky21

Beaten Nadal like a drum twice in a row on clay? How about the fact that he is playing miles better than Nadal is, or anyone else for that matter. Djesus is a shoe-in for RG this year.

Originally Posted by Fiji

Novak was the second best player on clay last year. But since Nadal appears to be finito then Djokovic will rule the clay season.

Originally Posted by veroniquem

He's had the best clay results after Rafa recently. Won 2 clay masters in 2011. Made 2 masters + RG final last year.

Zero titles won on clay last year. Played 8 sets against Rafa and won one while getting dominated in 6 of the 8 sets. Until he beats Rafa in RG, gotta say Rafa still the favorite.

[Clarky21]

Originally Posted by malbaker86

Zero titles won on clay last year. Played 8 sets against Rafa and won one while getting dominated in 6 of the 8 sets. Until he beats Rafa in RG, gotta say Rafa still the favorite.

The Nadal of last year on clay is far from this mug version we have now. He will get triple bageled if he plays Djesus, Fed, Andy, or any other top player there. Same can be said for the clay masters as well.

[veroniquem]

Originally Posted by malbaker86

Zero titles won on clay last year. Played 8 sets against Rafa and won one while getting dominated in 6 of the 8 sets. Until he beats Rafa in RG, gotta say Rafa still the favorite.

Of course Rafa is the favorite. Novak is the 2nd favorite.

[Towser83]

At this point there's no point even coming up with a favourite unless you are a book maker and have to. Nadal could rise to somewhere near his B game in which case he's favourite, or he could have a hard time or get injured. Let's see what happens in MC and Madrid first.

[Sentinel]

You never know, that old chap in his thirties with his caboodle of daughters might out Noel again in the semis or whatever.

[Mike Sams]

Originally Posted by Fiji

You know you are finished when you lose to players like Cebolla. Might as well go back to retirement city. Agree that RG 2013 is Djokovic's this year.

How do you figure? Djokovic has guys like Tsonga, Federer, Del Potro, Ferrer, Verdasco, Seppi, Wawrinka, Isner, Murray etc who are all more than capable of taking him out at RG.
He has to make the final first which in itself is a considerable challenge based on history.

[F L O B B E R]

Fanboys are Funny

[Hitman]

I'd love for him to win it. I'm cheering him all the way, but it is just too early to talk about it.

I just want him to continue to play well in the remainder of the slow HC season, and get good confidence heading into the Euro clay season. Then we'll see his progress heading into RG. But I do hope he wins it this year.

[kalyan4fedever]

simple equation djokovic win = tennis death

[Fiji]

Originally Posted by kalyan4fedever

simple equation djokovic win = tennis death

Get ready for a third Career Slam since 2009 this year. This is an era of GOATs and all.

[TheF1Bob]

Originally Posted by Towser83

At this point there's no point even coming up with a favourite unless you are a book maker and have to. Nadal could rise to somewhere near his B game in which case he's favourite, or he could have a hard time or get injured. Let's see what happens in MC and Madrid first.

I agree with this, we need to see how the rafa gets on at these events before making any type of prediction.

Originally Posted by kalyan4fedever

simple equation djokovic win = tennis death

You should be banned for posting such nonsense.

[kalyan4fedever]

Originally Posted by TheF1Bob

You should be banned for posting such nonsense.

lol hahah calm down he wont win this , feddy is gonna take it, the time has come where the talented player must win. Come on rogi

[Homeboy Hotel]

If you looked at Djokovic's record pre-2011 at Wimbledon, you would laugh to predict he would win Wimbledon, but he did.

Using this same logic, a fully fit and lucky Murray will win RG vs fatigued Djokovic.

[Fiji]

[veroniquem]

Originally Posted by Homeboy Hotel

If you looked at Djokovic's record pre-2011 at Wimbledon, you would laugh to predict he would win Wimbledon, but he did.

Using this same logic, a fully fit and lucky Murray will win RG vs fatigued Djokovic.

Not quite. Djoko had made finals in Queen's and Halle before winning W. Remind me which clay finals Murray has made?