2016 AO R4 - [1] Novak Djokovic vs. [14] Gilles Simon

[joekapa]

what's up with Djoko? will he recuperate for his next match??
this doesn't look good.

He will, and he will win convicingly withing 4 sets.

If he got through today, he can get through anything.

 

[Sir Percival Blakeney]

Saw just the last couple of games. Novak looked pissed at times.

But anyway, if this is the Kevin Anderson moment of the AO, I'm oh so fine with it.

 

[okdude1992]

Glad this is over. Now I can vote. I say Nole in 5.

 

[Levi_Ackerman]

here in america we like our privilege white

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL. Brilliant!

 

[veroniquem]

Basically. That is the danger of winning everything. You don't take it as seriously as you should. You don't wanna go that extra mile like you did before and you can get overconfident. You could totally see it today. But he pulled it out. How? I don't know.

Well I know how. He's a hell of a lot better than Simon, that's how. Simon feeds on opponents' mistakes. He should not win this way against the best, and thankfully he came up short again

 

[joekapa]

Simon played the match of his life. He simply played great. Probably the best tennis he can play. Nobody say's someone in the top 20 cannot beat someone in the top 5. Of course they can !!!

 

[maticftw]

What's with djokovic and recent 4th rounds?it's like he wants a shock to his system to prepare for the quarters(full credit to simon though,it was a battle of wills)

 

[Russeljones]

I was a little puzzled by some of Novak's decision making, to be honest. It appeared to me, for example, that Gilles wasn't too comfortable when faced with the sliced balls coming to his backhand. These resulted, almost invariably, into shorter balls sitting up to be attacked. Novak was lulled into exactly the type of match Gilles needed to be competitive. I am sure his team will examine this and he will come out with much more aggression in his next match.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

Your boy had best be more efficient next match, otherwise things can get disturbing for him.

Yeah, consolation is 2013 vs Wawa R4 went 5 also and he went on to win tourney. Then again Wawa still looms and Simon shouldn't be giving him this much trouble.

 

[hendrasdr]

glad Djokovic won this match .... new user here fan of Djoker ..

 

[HewittAlwaysDisappoints]

I see some Fed fans still peddling that "weak era" nonsense. lol. Wasn't a weak era when their guy was winning everything. It isn't a weak era when their guy, at the ripe old age of 34, beats top tenners. Noooooooooooooooooo! It's only a weak era when Djokovic wins. #getoveritalready.

Why not both?

 

[veroniquem]

If he hammers Nishikori I agree, but if he plays another duff match then the accumulation of fatigue heading into the semi-final could be very problematic for him. He'd have two full days off for the final I guess though - is that right? Thursday semi and Sunday final for top half.

Yeah he'll have plenty of time to recover

 

[veroniquem]

glad Djokovic won this match .... new user here fan of Djoker ..

Welcome to the board!

 

[Navdeep Srivastava]

Djokovic in current form will prevail,but today match shows that people may not rate Seppi or Simon but they can be very dangerous, people were saying this is easy draw but look good performance by halys,Seppi, with Simon looking good then dangerous Nishi and last either Berdych or Fed in semis, suddenly his draw look more tough than usual first glance.

This is what I Said before the match , lol weak draw , his draw has been quite tough, good young blood Chung, Halys, punching above the weight Seppi and Simon, in form Kei in quaters, either rampaging Berdych or Fed in Semis.
According to some tennis fan this is weak draw.

 

[tennisfan2015]

Everybody is laughing at the 100 UE.

However, what you miss is that even though he made 100 UE, he still pulled through and won the match. Who else could of done that ? Nobody.

Fanboys might be making fun of him, but the coaches and players back in the change rooms, are still scratching their heads.

I have collected my bounty on 100UE from the local betting syndicate. Thanks Djok.

 

[veroniquem]

Wow Berd went 5 too. It must be something in the air!

 

[NoleFam]

I was a little puzzled by some of Novak's decision making, to be honest. It appeared to me, for example, that Gilles wasn't too comfortable when faced with the sliced balls coming to his backhand. These resulted, almost invariably, into shorter balls sitting up to be attacked. Novak was lulled into exactly the type of match Gilles needed to be competitive. I am sure his team will examine this and he will come out with much more aggression in his next match.

Novak played this match like he had no brain. He didn't really hit out on his shots consistently until the 5th set when he had no other choice. The drop shots on big points in the tiebreak and at the end of 4th set? ....Being lured into pushfest rallies? He should have blown this guy away in 3 easy sets. He has a weak serve and just pushed every ball until the end of the match. Let's just be happy it's over.

 

[maticftw]

glad Djokovic won this match .... new user here fan of Djoker ..

Shhhhh.....

 

[Levi_Ackerman]

Why not both?

Because it's always been like this; even dating all the way back to the 80s - the Borg/McEnroe/Connors/Lendl era. You always had a select few winning everything - and in amongst those select few, there was always one who dominated the rest. The tour has never been a "free-for-all", in terms of big titles, especially grand slams. So, if Federer's was a weak era (which I do not accept that it was) and Djokovic's is a weak era (which I don't accept that it is), then we have only ever had weak eras in tennis. Even look at Sampras' era, few could beat him off clay - regardless of how bad he was playing.

BTW, had Djokovic played a better player today in the way he did, say, Murray, or Federer, or Wawrinka, or Nishikori, or even that mentally solid-as-a-rock champion, Tomas Berdych, (basically, a top tenner), he would have lost.

 

[TearTheRoofOff]

Houdini strikes yet again.

 

[joekapa]

This being said, Nishikori played incredible tennis today. Djokovic will have to dig deep in the next match.

 

[ultradr]

How many 5 setter have federer won Vs Novak ??? ZERO

Federer loses majority of 5 set matches againt guys like nadal or djokovic.

 

[HewittAlwaysDisappoints]

Because it's always been like this; even all the way back to the 80s - the Borg/McEnroe/Connors/Lendl era. You always had a select few winning everything - and in amongst those select few, there was always one who dominated the rest. So, if Federer's was a weak era (which I do not accept that it was) and Djokovic's is a weak era (which I don't accept that it is), then we have only ever had weak eras in tennis. Even look at Sampras' era, few could beat him off clay.

With the current players, Federer dominated a weak era, Djokovic doninated a weak 2015 field. But 2011 was far from weak so Djokovic should get lots of credit for that.

Esentially, to me, a weak era is defined by the quality of tennis from the players. One pwrson dominating doesn't necessarily make a weak era imho.

 

[The Green Mile]

Simon can make you overthink things. I've heard a few players talk about this. Some of Novak's shot selection was really bad tonight. Not to mention endless grueling rallies with him can take it's toll, mentally and physically, which we saw.

And Gilles didn't play his best tennis this match WTF? I would give him a 6/10 and Novak a 5/10 for their performances today.

 

[Checkmate]

Did I miss something???

 

[LinePainter]

glad Djokovic won this match .... new user here fan of Djoker ..

@Djokovic2011 and you will get along, but most of us are Fedr fans

 

[Levi_Ackerman]

One pwrson dominating doesn't necessarily make a weak era imho.

This, we can agree on.

@Djokovic2011 and you will get along, but most of us are Fedr fans

Straight from the horse's mouth. It explains a lot that happens on this forum.

 

[HewittAlwaysDisappoints]

This, we can agree on.

What about thr other stuff? Seems pretty reasonable, right?

 

[Levi_Ackerman]

What about thr other stuff? Seems pretty reasonable, right?

Lol. You drive a hard bargain, but I'm going to have to stick with my rejection of the "weak era" theory.

 

[Oakel]

@Djokovic2011 and you will get along, but most of us are Fedr fans

He will be fine as long as he/she isn't a insecure fan who gets upset when people like others more than Nole.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Djokovic found a way. He didn't play great but he showed why he no1 and the champion he is. Simon is never easy to play but I think this will sharpen Djoko up going forward. Hopefully he gets night session against kei and I think he will beat nishi in 4 sets.

 

[tennis_pro]

Simon played the match of his life. He simply played great. Probably the best tennis he can play. Nobody say's someone in the top 20 cannot beat someone in the top 5. Of course they can !!!

Say again?

 

[tennis_pro]

Djokovic found a way. He didn't play great but he showed why he no1 and the champion he is. Simon is never easy to play but I think this will sharpen Djoko up going forward. Hopefully he gets night session against kei and I think he will beat nishi in 4 sets.

Oh I'm sure a 4,5 h+ match in heat will sharpen him alright.

 

[Levi_Ackerman]

Djokovic found a way. He didn't play great but he showed why he no1 and the champion he is. Simon is never easy to play but I think this will sharpen Djoko up going forward. Hopefully he gets night session against kei and I think he will beat nishi in 4 sets.

With a screen name like "Djokovic is the best#1", should we be surprised you think this?

 

[Djokovic2011]

Oh I'm sure a 4,5 h+ match in heat will sharpen him alright.

You seem upset t_p.

 

[Sir Percival Blakeney]

Oh I'm sure a 4,5 h+ match in heat will sharpen him alright.

I am quite certain that the energy you expend daily on wishing Djokovic decline/lose a match could power a small town.

 

[tennis_pro]

You seem upset t_p.

No I'm very happy. I never thought Simon would win more than 4 games in a set, let alone 2 sets.

 

[Djokovic2011]

No I'm very happy. I never thought Simon would win more than 4 games in a set, let alone 2 sets.

If you say so.

 

[MichaelNadal]

No I'm very happy. I never thought Simon would win more than 4 games in a set, let alone 2 sets.

Amen to that! Going 5 was a victory for tennis. Baby steps

 

[Sentinel]

The only guy on tour who can probably do anything close to what Simon does is probably Devvarman. It is actually really hard to kill the pace on every incoming ball, float every ball, and hit it with very low pace. It takes incredible patience. Even Murray can't do what Simon does. Even Murray goes for pace on every few shots.

Somdev ??? Why ? Can he hang on that long ? I've only seen him once, and only because he was playing Fedr. Can't remember anything much.

 

[hendrasdr]

@Djokovic2011 and you will get along, but most of us are Fedr fans

It's allright with me ...

 

[Deleted member 716271]

Amen to that! Going 5 was a victory for tennis. Baby steps

Did you enjoy your popcorn?

 

[LinePainter]

It's allright with me ...

Only kidding

 

[MichaelNadal]

Did you enjoy your popcorn?

I had Doritos and Oatmeal Raisin cookies

 

[Deleted member 716271]

I had Doritos and Oatmeal Raisin cookies

We got killed with snow, over 2 feet. Lost power, came back on as 5th set was starting. Troubling times for us Ultron fans

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Djokovic having his traditional 5 set match at the AO. Credit to Simon there but not a good performance from Novak. He needs to pick his game up if he wants to defend the title.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Double post.

 

[hendrasdr]

He will be fine as long as he/she isn't a insecure fan who gets upset when people like others more than Nole.

Nah , that's not me ... everybody can have their own favorite player off course ...

 

[JRAJ1988]

 

[I Am Finnish]

glad Djokovic won this match .... new user here fan of Djoker ..

welcome
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