2013 Indian Wells SF: [1] Novak DJOKOVIC vs. [7] Juan Martin DEL POTRO
- Thread starter Ico
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rainingaces
Legend
Roland Garros dark horse now big time. I'm really looking foreword to the clay court season now.
tennisbuck
Hall of Fame
He's not gonna tank when he's in the middle of his win streak. I don't think top players tank
ST_spitzertelescope
Semi-Pro
News just in - CVAC Systems stock price has just plummeted.
The-Champ
Legend
Even Federer acknowledges that Nadal is not as mobile as before..
The_Order
G.O.A.T.
Not going to be a walk in the park for Rafa at all, of all the big 4 Delpo is most comfortable against Rafa especially on a HC and let's not forget he will be full of confidence now having beaten 2 of the big 4 in a row, both with excellent fight backs. Murray and Novak normally have his measure on HC so no doubt Delpo will be as confident as ever.
I must admit, I thought Delpo was gone when down 3-0 in the third today, but he showed great spirit and fight to win 6 of the next 7 games!
The key for Delpo this time will be the first set, if he loses it again, then I think it will be curtains for him.
I must admit, I thought Delpo was gone when down 3-0 in the third today, but he showed great spirit and fight to win 6 of the next 7 games!
The key for Delpo this time will be the first set, if he loses it again, then I think it will be curtains for him.
GOAT BAAH!!!
Professional
...an extremely impressive, mentally strong performance from the Argentine.
Gonzo_style
Hall of Fame
Great win for DelPo, hope he can win his first MS title....
But who knows, maybe he spent too much energy against Murrovic and Nadal will win his first HC MS after 4 years...
But who knows, maybe he spent too much energy against Murrovic and Nadal will win his first HC MS after 4 years...
Mainad
Bionic Poster
You've got to hand it to Del Potro. Who of us thought he could take out both Murray and Djokovic (guys who used to own him) on back to back days?
He really seems to be in the groove right now. The only question is whether he will have enough energy to go hammer and tongs with Rafa for a third day on the trot?
He really seems to be in the groove right now. The only question is whether he will have enough energy to go hammer and tongs with Rafa for a third day on the trot?
Mainad
Bionic Poster
It's amazing to think that this will be only his 2nd ever Masters final!
Gonzo_style
Hall of Fame
DropShotArtist
Banned
cc0509
Talk Tennis Guru
Please, Nadal is moving better than ever.
Clarky21
Banned
Better than ever? Not even close unless you consider barely being able to get out to his fh side moving better than ever. Not to mention all the limping he does. Nadal's going to struggle tomorrow to chase down Delpo's shots.
beast of mallorca
G.O.A.T.
C'mon CC0509, you're more objective than that......better than ever ? Really?
zagor
Bionic Poster
I wouldn't say better than ever (he was a rocket in 2008 for example), but he's moving pretty good and hitting the ball extremely well off both sides (especially the BH side, he seems to have really worked on being more aggressive off that wing), aside from Delpo, his overall level of play was the highest in this tourney.
pds999
Hall of Fame
I watched the Federer match again. One of the retrievals Rafa managed from a Federer background in the 2nd set was ridiculous, even Djokovic wouldn't have got there. It was insane. He certainly hasn't lost any speed when he wants to use it.
I tend to think that Roger was on target about Rafa. He said that he expected Rafa to be in good shape since Rafa tended to be "careful" about his health. I don't think that Rafa is near his 2008 form, but I think he could do more than he probably thinks he can when pushed.
Will he win tomorrow, I tend to think so, but that's more from the fact that I think Delpo probably doesn't have much left in the tank.
Mike Sams
G.O.A.T.
Djokovic is a better defender than Nadal. Even Nadal gets frustrated over Djokovic's insane defense. Dude's elastic. Nadal is probably around 10-12lbs heavier than Djokovic I'd think.
Rocky89
Professional
Is he really?
Impressive win by Delpo, especially with back-to-back wins over Murray and Djokovic. I wonder if he will be able to recuperate in time for tomorrow.
The-Champ
Legend
Here's the thing IMO. Djokovic cuts the angles better than Nadal and widens his wingspan because of that elasticity. Thus he gets so many ball back. He also has better court positioning than Rafa and know's exactly where to cut the angles. This is also why he is a lot closer to the baseline even when he defends.
Nadal's defense on the other hand relies too much on his pure speed (sprint). This explains why he doesn't defend as well as during his younger days. That speed is no longer there. Both equally effective but Rafa's defense is more taxing. In conclusion Novak will preserve his amazing defense for many more years, while Rafa has already exhausted all his.
raphMODE
Professional
This !Is he really?
Impressive win by Delpo, especially with back-to-back wins over Murray and Djokovic. I wonder if he will be able to recuperate in time for tomorrow.
It will be an AWESOME performance by DelPo if he beats Murray/Djoko/Nadal back to back !!!!!
I Really hope he will.
–
Clarky21
Banned
Is he really?
Impressive win by Delpo, especially with back-to-back wins over Murray and Djokovic. I wonder if he will be able to recuperate in time for tomorrow.
Sure he is. He's been pulling up and limping when he stops and sometimes when he has to change direction quickly. He limped a lot in his match against Gulbis and limped some more in his match against Fed. He's been doing it since he came back.
sportsfan1
Legend
The only person who can match this downplaying of Nadal's chances and talking up his opponent is .. Nadal himself ;-).
Relinquis
Hall of Fame
Good result.
I love how before the match and during the first set everyone is talking about how Novak is indestructible and such, and after the match it is 'Novak was playing his B-Game'. Please.
Reality:
He needed a 2nd set tie break to beat Delpo in Dubai and anyone who actually watched that match knew it was competitive. Earlier this tournament Dimitrov gave him a beating in the first 6 games of their match before mentally imploding. Just a few days ago he needed a tie break in the 2nd set to beat Querrey of all people. This is not an unbeatable player.
I like that Delpo has been playing well. Maybe Djokovic and Djokovic-before-you-add-water (i.e. Murray) will have to adapt their defensive 95% of the time game in response to players like Delpo* and Berdych starting to challenge the top 4/5. I hope so.
We can't have 3+ players at the top 5 of tennis who are basically defense all the time.
* He can be a bit of a pusher sometimes when he gets tense, but his big forehand hides this more than the others.
I love how before the match and during the first set everyone is talking about how Novak is indestructible and such, and after the match it is 'Novak was playing his B-Game'. Please.
Reality:
He needed a 2nd set tie break to beat Delpo in Dubai and anyone who actually watched that match knew it was competitive. Earlier this tournament Dimitrov gave him a beating in the first 6 games of their match before mentally imploding. Just a few days ago he needed a tie break in the 2nd set to beat Querrey of all people. This is not an unbeatable player.
I like that Delpo has been playing well. Maybe Djokovic and Djokovic-before-you-add-water (i.e. Murray) will have to adapt their defensive 95% of the time game in response to players like Delpo* and Berdych starting to challenge the top 4/5. I hope so.
We can't have 3+ players at the top 5 of tennis who are basically defense all the time.
* He can be a bit of a pusher sometimes when he gets tense, but his big forehand hides this more than the others.
Mike Sams
G.O.A.T.
If Federer gets back to full health after his 2 month break and Del Potro gains full confidence in himself, I think we may have one hell of a good 2013!
sportsfan1
Legend
Just watched the replay. The serve from JMDP to finish the match - what an absolute bomb! The camera panned to the woman behind in the stands who actually put her hands to her ears and had an awestruck look.
taurussable
Professional
always liked djoker's post match handshake. great personalities. never seemed too bitter.
Relinquis
Hall of Fame
He was ok during the post match interview as well. Genuinely recognised that Delpo played the better match. Good comments on actual strategy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH4oIK2gOGs
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
Why did everybody pick Novak ? That is very odd to me. I picked Delpo because I have never seen him play so well. What excuse do you guys have ?
Start da Game
Hall of Fame
del potro does not fear anyone no matter what match it is.......that quality always keeps him in the hunt just like nadal.......
he is a tougher opponent than djokovic to rafa.......
he is a tougher opponent than djokovic to rafa.......
kalyan4fedever
Legend
Wow great result, watched till 3rd set when djoker was up a break at 2- 0, hoping del p to crush nadal...he won 1 exho recently so why not..... djokers dominance has to end
djokers dominance has to end
veroniquem
Bionic Poster
Relinquis
Hall of Fame
Djokodal Fan
Hall of Fame
I hate Delpo!
I hate Delpo!
I hate Delpo!
I hate Delpo!
I hate Delpo!
I hate Delpo!
I hate Delpo!
I hate Delpo!
I hate Delpo!
Can't get over the loss.
seriously how can djoker blow a 3-0 lead in final set....seriously!!
Congrats to Delpo for playing gritty tennis. I still hate him!!
I hate Delpo!
I hate Delpo!
I hate Delpo!
I hate Delpo!
I hate Delpo!
I hate Delpo!
I hate Delpo!
I hate Delpo!
Can't get over the loss.
seriously how can djoker blow a 3-0 lead in final set....seriously!!
Congrats to Delpo for playing gritty tennis. I still hate him!!
I have to think that Novak was reminded he was playing on a gritty surface when he did that slide in the 3rd game I think of the 3rd set. And let's face it, the last thing he wants is to get injured. Probably reminded him not to do what he would normally do when sliding on hard courts. And it made him play more tentative.
Bhagi Katbamna
Legend
Yup. Looked like he ran out of juice around 3-1 up in the third set.
kishnabe
Talk Tennis Guru
Better to lose now...instead of creating pressure with the streak.
ruerooo
Legend
He was undefeated this calendar year going into that match, yes ...?
He'd already played a lot of tennis. Let somebody else win for a change.
DropShotArtist
Banned
Because Djoker at his best is nowhere near as good as Roger was at his best.
Gonzo_style
Hall of Fame
What happened in Fedal QF?
Relinquis
Hall of Fame
do you really think that was roger at his best? your boy was beaten yesterday. it happens. it hurts. he has moved on, i think you should too.
underground
G.O.A.T.
Because Federer was NOT at his best? Did you not see the poster you quoted mention Fed 'at his best'?
