[1] Novak Djokovic vs [3] Rafael Nadal MC FINAL

Who will win?

  • Djokovic in 2

    Votes: 38 32.5%
  • Djokovic in 3

    Votes: 20 17.1%
  • Nadal in 2

    Votes: 27 23.1%
  • Nadal in 3

    Votes: 32 27.4%

  • Total voters
    117
N

Nathaniel_Near

Guest
Perhaps that's why he's NOT hitting the DTL FH, he isn't confident with it.

Maybe, or he is respecting Rafa's forehand too much when attacking it from that angle. I dunno, but he was hitting it plenty in set 1 and it helped him control the flow of many rallies. Right now though, Nole is definitely doing way more running.

I think Rafa should have broken here but perhaps he lacked a little patience.
 

DragonBlaze

Hall of Fame
A key difference in why Nole is the one being ran around; he is now refusing to hit his forehand up the line. This is an important detail which is changing the dynamic of the rallies. Novak has lost a little bit of his opening set bravery.

I also thought the same. I don't know why he has backed off that, could change the match right there.
 

DRII

G.O.A.T.
D.S.Artist has now officially become B.S.Artist...

If Nadal wins he will look like a complete fool!
 

abmk

Bionic Poster
A key difference in why Nole is the one being ran around; he is now refusing to hit his forehand up the line. This is an important detail which is changing the dynamic of the rallies. Novak has lost a little bit of his opening set bravery.

agreed ........
 

romeo8880

G.O.A.T.
AHHHH Just found out why Djokovic won the first set. Same thing as last year at the French. Sun wasn't out and the court was in Dork's favor so the ball is landing right in Dork's wheelhouse. Now that the sun is out things have changed. Bye, bye Djokovic.
 

Ralph

Hall of Fame
I think it's because he knows Novak can cover that side of the court very well

Yep, he sure can. However, on the chances he does have to use it, I think he should regardless of Novak's retrieving skills. He'll make as many as he'll lose, if not more. Especially if he follows into the net once hit.
 
N

Nathaniel_Near

Guest
AHHHH Just found out why Djokovic won the first set. Same thing as last year at the French. Sun wasn't out and the court was in Dork's favor so the ball is landing right in Dork's wheelhouse. Now that the sun is out things have changed. Bye, bye Djokovic.

How's it hanging, Tsonga hater? Life treating you well?
 
N

Nathaniel_Near

Guest
That's the first backhand I've seen Nole outright fluff in the whole match.
 

cucio

Legend
He "forgot" to add that Novak is playing some terrific tennis which also has an effect on the current scoreline.

Why the quotes? Still with your tiresome personal vendetta against poor me? I also "forgot" to mention that Rafa was serving very well and hitting the mulehand just fine.

When two legends are playing one takes for granted that both play terrific tennis. Nole is his usual monster self, hitting hard and deep from both wings, moving great, turning defense into offense, his usual fare.

I was pointing at the key factor that justified the score. As soon as Rafa has started to hit some decent backhands the match has leveled a lot.
 

abmk

Bionic Poster
AHHHH Just found out why Djokovic won the first set. Same thing as last year at the French. Sun wasn't out and the court was in Dork's favor so the ball is landing right in Dork's wheelhouse. Now that the sun is out things have changed. Bye, bye Djokovic.

good-good-let-the-butthurt-flow-through-you-11.jpeg
 

eliars

Hall of Fame
These guys are playing great tennis. Such a pleasure to watch how they're both pushing each other to the limit.

Rafito holds 2-2
 
N

Nathaniel_Near

Guest
The man who wins this match will be the man who is willing to take the necessary risks to run less. Just my intuition...
 
N

Nathaniel_Near

Guest
The ultra loud pre-serve foot Rafa shuffle has started. That's when you know shi' just got real.
 

romeo8880

G.O.A.T.
Djokovic fans will see it as excuses but anybody can see how the match has changed now that it's not rainy and cloudy.
 

DRII

G.O.A.T.
Compromised due to age, or because he took time off?

compromised due to the injury.

it still gives him pain and you can tell.

its something he going to have to learn, and is learning, to live with.

side to side Nadal is at about 90% movement, which only shows liability against great players like Nole.

but moving forward he's at about 70%, which many players have taken advantage of...

thats why Nadal has increased his offensive to try and compensate...
 
N

Nathaniel_Near

Guest
And FINALLY Rafa finds a break of serve in this match, and frankly looks the stronger player at this moment in time.
 
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